The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) means that more and more industrial devices will be connected to networks and IT-systems.
HMS technology for "connecting devices" makes this possible.
Industry 4.0, also referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, is a German initiative which promotes the computerization of the manufacturing industry where communication and IT systems automate production in a smart way creating connected intelligent factories.
Smart intelligent factories are characterized by higher flexibility, efficiency and productivity as a result of adaptability, resource optimizations and human-machine interaction.
The demand for higher customization and individualized products in manufacturing are also driving the Industry 4.0 initiative. The ultimate goal is mass production of single units meaning that single customized units can be produced just as efficient as traditional mass production.
More data and information is being captured from systems, machines and devices and made available to IT systems. The information is processed on-the-fly enabling IT-based management systems to generate updated information for real-time control of the manufacturing process.This data network is often referred to as The Internet of Things (IoT).
The Internet of Things is a network of electronic devices. The devices connected to this global network include both consumer devices and industrial devices. When used to connect industrial systems with a high level of robustness, reliability, security and real-time systems, the network is often called Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
IIoT Solutions
Historically Industrial communication systems have leveraged real-time protocols such as CAN, Profibus and Modbus- well-working and established industry-specific networks installed in millions of systems. These protocols are still used today in the development of new systems.
In the last decades, there has been a push for support Ethernet-based communications but to meet the demands of industrial applications, it has been necessary to implement real-time functionality over Ethernet. Several Industrial Ethernet protocols have been introduced and widely adopted by automation equipment manufactures. Industrial Ethernet protocols are not the fastest-growing deployed network type in new industrial installations.
Consequently, there is a vast amount of legacy industrial systems that need to be bridged to newer Ethernet based network technologies to enable machine communications and data access. Migration from old to new protocols requires gateways and software. HMS Industrial Networks is focused on creating the products required to connect these different systems and enabling IIoT.
IIoT provides a huge opportunity to new gains in flexibility and productivity when all the data is visible, integration of legacy systems is critical to achieving the full potential of the IIoT.
2018 Industrial Network Global Market Shares according to HMS. Both traditional fieldbuses and Industrial Ethernet are growing, but Industrial Ethernet has overtaken traditional fieldbuses in terms of new installed nodes in factory automation.
Beyond the traditional industrial protocol network, there are a number of new technologies that are entering the factory floor:
Netbiter monitors Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) from Eaton. The systems are deployed across Europe in data centers, hospitals and commercial buildings.
Better knowledge of your installations before a service visit is a big help as a service technician. You can also reduce your team’s travelling and cut down on CO2 emissions.
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Anybus X-gateways connect EtherNet/IP- based honing machines to several other industrial networks, freeing up resources and decreasing costs at Nagel Precision.
The Anybus X-gateways enables us to focus on our core business – building honing machinery – rather than working with compliance for different networks.
The Anybus Communicator CAN is used to enable communication between the CAN-bus in straddle carriers and a Modbus TCP-based monitoring system. Also, a programmable Communicator is used to connect GPS trackers (NMEA-based) to the CAN-bus of the straddle carriers.
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HMS' strong technical position within industrial real-time networking and control already enables millions of devices to get connected – truly enabling the Industrial Internet of Things. Read our latest blog post on the 3 Macro Trends we see continuing in 2018 and how they will expand the reach of automation by connecting more systems to the internet.
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