LEAD FEATURE GATHERING DATA IN THE FIELD
other. And then we can correlate that data to then nd out
where the issues come from. That can be any type of data
that we nd useful. But we’re not doing big data analytics.”
The Edge hardware that equipment feeds with this data
is FANUC’s FIELD base Pro or the Cisco UCS. These units
can be daisy-chained to provide greater capacity for
connected edge devices.
Machine data that can be predictive and preventative
about failures can take in spindle speeds, motor current,
torque, torque disturbances, temperature and vibration, for
example. And to get access to that data, FANUC is, where
necessary, working with ‘device partners’ who create/
supply the hardware necessary, explains Taylor.
“But we’re not only looking at machine data. We’re
hoping to bring in the, as we call it, ‘digitalisation of
engineers’. Much of the key to the success of IoT is the
digital support of the engineer; you know, the guy that’s
working on the system knows a lot more than machines do
sometimes, so we are using key inputs from him to also
maintain the ef ciency of the machines.”
He is referring to FANUC’s FIELD system’s Daily Check
App, a tool for the recording of daily checks. Items to be
checked are displayed on rugged hardware by using the
same device to read a QR code on any piece of equipment.
This makes it much easier for the engineer to keep up with
necessary tasks and interpret the data, as manually input
data can then be ‘mixed’ with other data to understand
relationships.
FIELD apps deliver specifi c benefi ts
At EMO 2019, FANUC demonstrated some of its own software solutions,
like FIELD system ZDT (Zero Down Time) app, FIELD system PMA
(Production Monitoring and Analytics Software) app and FIELD system Daily
Check app, plus another 13 apps developed by partner companies, p12.
ZDT has been installed since 2015 and has, in conjunction in the main
with robots, successfully identi ed potential equipment issues and noti ed
customers to take corrective action and avoid unexpected down time in
over 600 cases, saving companies more than $75m, FANUC America’s
website reports.
Third-party apps shown at EMO were:
Fieldview app by AISmart – detects objects and tracks applications for
accurate defects detection and product quality improvement;
APM (Advanced Plant Monitoring) app by Alascom – allows users to
extract data from different devices (robots, CNC, sensors etc). As it is
utilising Microsoft Hololens, which is enriched with an arti cal intelligence
(AI) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) able to understand speech,
users can ask about alarms, production in a period of time or OEE, with
the information shown on the holographic Hololens interface, as well as on
other devices (smartphone, tablet, wearable, AR);
Igus smart plastics app – under the name ‘isense’, Igus supplies
various sensors that detect the status of Igus components. These sensors
alert users or switch off a machine as soon as a component needs to be
repaired or replaced, avoiding downtime and shortening repair times. The
Igus smart plastics app integrates the sensor data into the FIELD system;
AIDAR Digital app by Kogi – this combines the power of arti cial
intelligence and augmented reality to reduce maintenance costs. It uses
holographic glasses to provide access to relevant data and product
manuals, as well as enables collaboration with remote experts;
ARTIS C-Dashboard app by Marposs – turns monitoring data into
actionable information for optimising manufacturing;
Mitutoyo converter – connection for measuring instruments;
Opera Predictive app by Open Data – this gathers real-time critical
parameters (vibration, temperature, pressure) and, thanks to AI and neural
networks, enables predictive maintenance and predictive quality. In
addition, the Opera Smart OEE app visualises in one single web-based
dashboard real-time data about the productivity and ef ciency of machines
and their process variables;
Converter FT-Axia by Ruhrbotics – connects Schunk force-torque sensors
to the FIELD system platform and transmits the sensor data;
Sauter IQ-Turret Environment app by Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH – data
collection and low latency error detection;
The Energy and Process control app by Schmalz – visualises relevant
condition information of automation components in the FIELD system;
Senseye PdM app by Senseye – machine health analytics and datadriven
prognostics to predict equipment failures and drive maintenance;
Multilog On-line surveillance device app by SKF – along with the
customised SKF edge solution for FIELD, this offers automatic advice for
correcting existing or impending spindle conditions.
FANUC is one of the world’s
largest designers, makers and
suppliers of industrial robots
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