Systems and methods for evaluating configuration changes on a machine in a manufacturing line

A system for evaluating configuration changes on a machine in a manufacturing line, the machine being controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC), the PLC storing a plurality of parameters associated with the machine, the system comprising:

• one or more storage devices;
• and
• one or more processors in electronic communication with the PLC and the one or more storage devices, the one or more processors operable to:
• obtain, from the PLC, a plurality of first parameter values corresponding to the plurality of parameters stored at the PLC at a first time;
• obtain, from the PLC, a plurality of second parameter values corresponding to the plurality of parameters stored at the PLC at a second time;
• determine a plurality of parameter value differences, the plurality of parameter value differences comprising, for each parameter, a difference between the first and second parameter values corresponding to that parameter;
• identify a subset of configuration parameters from the plurality of parameters based on the plurality of parameter value differences, each configuration parameter corresponding to a user-manipulatable parameter associated with controlling the machine;
• generate a first hash based on the configuration parameter values, the first hash providing a fingerprint of a configuration state of the machine at the first time;
• store, at the one or more storage devices, the first hash in association with a first timestamp corresponding to the first time,
• generate a subsequent bash based on a plurality of subsequent configuration parameter values obtained by the PLC at a subsequent time;
• determine one or more configuration parameter value differences by comparing the first hash and the subsequent hash;
• and
• in response to the first hash and the subsequent hash being different, automatically modify a value of one or more configuration parameters stored at the PLC to revert the one or more configuration parameters to configuration parameter values corresponding to the first time, thereby adjusting the operation of the machine.