Industry 4.0 / IIoT

MVTec Software will showcase its extensive portfolio at HANNOVER MESSE from 23rd-27th April 2018, with a focus on the two flagship products HALCON and MERLIC. In the Application Park Robotics, Automation & Vision in hall 17, booth E42/6, visitors will find live demos that offer practical insights into the benefits of machine vision in Industry 4.0 (aka the Industrial IoT or IIoT for short) and Smart Factory environments. This year, the focus is on deep learning functions based on artificial intelligence.

An important part of automation today is the detection of objects in systems. Objects have to be reliably detected and measured, as well as verifying that they are correctly positioned. The scope of possible applications is almost limitless and is continuously expanding (for example, detecting valve and flap positions, the position of PV panels for optimal exposure to light, the position of a ship's rudder and automation tasks in the machine-tool industry).

Within the adoption of Industry 4.0, the acceleration of the industry which enables technologies to advance is evident as the mid-point of the 2018 convention season approaches. Independent collaborative efforts, as well as open consortiums focused on addressing industrial performance demands around security, reliability, and open standards interoperability are the chief drivers responsible for increasing the speed to market. Guest piece written by Neil McLellan.

The AutomationML interface within iQ Work has been implemented by Mitsubishi Electric, which is the integrated software suite for programming Mitsubishi Electric automation products. AutomationML represents an important step-change in the way complex equipment is designed, installed and maintained. Designers, integrators and end users will all benefit from a streamlined approach to system implementation that will drive down costs and shorten time to market.

Supporting the ever-growing Industry 4.0 initiatives, Parker Hannifin has introduced a new series of 'smart' sensors with the P8S CPS series which are especially for for pneumatic cylinders. The sensors feature intelligent functionality such as the ability to acquire and locally process information, and communicate with upper level controllers and/or local networks.

With a strong market demand Festo Training & Consulting has launched a new seminar entitled ‘The Fundamentals of Industry 4.0’. The one-day course – the first of which takes place on 8th March 2018 – is suitable for those who wish to gain a broader understanding of what Industry 4.0 is about: without talking about products. 

At the Industry 4.0 Summit Bosch Rexroth will be showcasing a number of award-winning connected solutions. From 28th February until 1st March 2018, Bosch Rexroth will display a range of systems and solutions on stand H10 – helping to make machines fit for the future. Delegates will have the opportunity to interact with latest advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as exploring the benefits of connectivity.

  Sensor, measuring, and testing systems play a key role in digitising and networking vehicles, machines, and systems - even of entire factories and indeed the industry as a whole. They convert the actual status of the analogue world into the digital data world of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things. And their intelligence and communication capability is continuously growing. 

Although we are familiar with the theoretical benefits of Industry 4.0, we are yet to discover speeding up its adoption and what practical tools are available to those who want to establish a factory of the future ? Ivo Maltir, Vice President of Desoutter, a leading specialist in industrial assembly solutions, examines the challenges and opportunities involved.

With the traceability software from Pryor, you can track marked components along the production line – and use these metrics to boost efficiency. With this in mind, Pryor’s mission at this year’s MACH exhibition is to help companies take their first steps into Industry 4.0 – by marking and tracking components through the production process.