Innovative test bed set for Hanover Fair debut

Because the solution is easy to retrofit in virtually any production facility, it significantly increases productivity and improves resource efficiency. The partners developed the test bed within the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC).

The four partners will present an application for the test bed from the field of plastics processing at this year's Hanover Fair on the ifm stand. They will demonstrate how energy consumption can be reduced through optimum regulation of the air flow for drying material used in the process.

Smart processes require comprehensive information from the sensors.

"The necessary data is frequently available via the sensors, but the controllers generally only process a fraction of what is available," says Dr. Myriam Jahn, managing director, ifm datalink. With the solution presented at the exhibition, it is now possible to have all sensor data transferred to IT systems without needing to reprogram the controller.

This new solution makes it possible to use data in numerous ways; for example, for condition monitoring, to monitor energy consumption, or to ensure the quality of manufactured products through their seamless traceability.

Not only can the efficiency of the processes be improved as a result, but the implementation of energy management processes such as ISO 50001 is also supported at the same time.