In a distributed control system, how do individual production stations function within a collaborative network?

In a distributed control system, each production station operates as an autonomous node equipped with its own local controller, such as a Programmable Logic Controller. These stations function independently by executing local tasks, such as assembly or quality inspection, while simultaneously participating in a collaborative network via a shared industrial communication protocol. This protocol serves as a digital language that allows machines to exchange status data, operational commands, and sensor readings in real time ....