All kinds of industrial companies are developing new business models to make their operations more efficient. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) plays an essential role in this. Thobias Thelemann, product manager for mechanical components and automation technology at reichelt elektronik, explains why the requirements for this are so complex. He discusses the important role of sensors and shows that sensitive sensors are often needed, as even the slightest inaccuracy in the data to be measured can have far-reaching consequences for companies.
Sensor technology in Industry 4.0
Investing in IIoT systems opens new doors for companies in various sectors that lead to business growth. Smartly connecting machines and devices increase efficiency and competitiveness. To see where costs can be saved and production processes optimised, data must be collected and analysed. For this purpose, machines are equipped with sensors that generate this data. These sensors provide upstream systems with information on physical parameters and plant status. In turn, this information is used to make decisions on operation and regulation. As well as on plant operation and maintenance.
One of the potentially serious consequences for companies due to measurement inaccuracies is loss of sales. To remain competitive, it is therefore important to further develop existing installations with sensor technology as sources of information. Only in this way can the status of machines and their performance be monitored and controlled smoothly.
Connectivity makes the difference
The interface to upstream systems determines how suitable sensors are for IIoT systems. In some cases, it is convenient to have sensors communicate directly with the IT system, i.e. without involving existing control systems. 5G can be used for this purpose.
But even in the most demanding IIoT projects, most sensors are not directly connected to the top layers of the solution running in a data centre or in the cloud. Their data and signals are also relevant for local control, regulation and visualisation systems. By adding a layer with controllers or edge computers, the amount of data to be transported and processed can be reduced. This results in significant cost savings.
Security of generated data
The implementation of IIoT solutions offers many opportunities, but also poses many challenges. A survey by reichelt elektronik - conducted in January 2020 among 250 tech decision-makers in the Dutch industrial sector - shows that around 46% of companies using IIoT systems say they struggle with implementation, and this is mostly due to concerns about data and network security. After all, generating, collecting and analysing data is the basis of IIoT. Only, where should this data be stored? Established cloud providers guarantee that data in the cloud will not be lost or become unusable.
However, most of these cloud providers are based in the United States and are therefore subject to the legislation in force there. The Patriot Act, in particular, deters European companies. This is because it stipulates that companies must be able to hand over all data to the US federal authorities upon request. Stricter legislation has led Dutch companies to make greater use of private clouds in 2019. They operate these in their own data centres or in those of local providers. A widely used method for enhancing data security is the extensive pre-processing of data on-site. Should there be a security breach, the metadata is stored locally and the other data becomes worthless to the unscrupulous ‘finder’.
Willingness to invest in IIoT
It is clear that implementing IIoT is still a challenge for companies. Those looking to make their systems suitable for IIoT need to upgrade their existing network architecture with compatible components, parts and devices. Besides the right network technology - including firewalls - they also need additional sensors, such as for cloud connections.
Research by reichelt elektronik - conducted in January 2020 - shows that all these challenges need not be a problem. Some 77 per cent of technology decision-makers say that their company is already connecting machines and devices to each other as well as to the internet. In addition, companies that have already implemented IIoT systems say they are generally satisfied with the results of the transformation.
This satisfaction is also reflected in their willingness to continuously invest in the technology. Another survey by reichelt - from September 2020 - shows that 79 per cent of companies in the industrial sector are investing more than last year, despite corona. A significant part of this budget goes to components for automation (such as controllers and sensors) and network technology. It is now becoming clear that companies without IIoT systems are no longer a match for their more technically developed competitors in the long run. In fact, technology opens new doors for companies and the quality of products goes up.
Text and image: reichelt elektronik
