In Industry 4.0, machines have to exchange a lot of information with each other, but because not all machines speak the same 'language', this is still sometimes difficult. Scientists at the Kalsruhe Institute of Technology have found a solution: a plug-and-play adapter.
Plug-and-play
Plug-and-play is a technology that allows users to connect devices such as printers or USB sticks to a computer and use them directly, without having to install software first. This technology is now also available for industrial applications. Engineers at KIT have developed an adapter that makes it easier to connect parts of a production facility and level them with each other. This allows facilities to be modified or expanded much faster and more safely.
"Our goal was to bring down the overhead required for commissioning components and entire manufacturing facilities," states KIT's David Barton in a press release. "The problem is that machines and components that are part of intelligently connected manufacturing need to be able to exchange information about the current status of production, fully in line with Industry 4.0. But machines often do not understand each other's language or provide the desired digital information at all. Beyond that, facilities should be interchangeable so that individual customer requests can be met quickly and cost-effectively. The solution we have come up with as part of the 'Secure Plug and Work' project is an adapter that bridges the communication gaps, for example that between components and machine tools."
Up-to-date information
"Our adapter sends measured values and data and also their meaning. For data exchange and storage, we have implemented current standards so that information relevant to production can be stored and transferred. A small PC is used as an interface to connect sensors and actuators that convert their signals into mechanical movements." The computer combines the sensor signals with a description file to provide the network with up-to-date information about the component. This description allows the machine controller to individually adapt to components built into the machine tool. The adapter comes with an additional 'dongle' that confirms the authenticity of the components. "This adapter makes it very easy for manufacturing companies to adapt or expand machine tools by connecting different components via a universal interface. In doing so, they run no risk that unauthorised persons can disrupt production."
KIT presents the plug-and-work approach at the EMO in Hannover (18 to 23 September).
By: Kelly Bakker
Source: KIT
