What were the challenges to be solved and what specific benefits were achieved?

In the automation industry, the demand for optimised production processes and transparency has significantly increased. Therefore, ifm electronic gmbh combines its know-how in the areas of automation and process technology with the development of standardised, intelligent software products. This allows optimised and transparent manufacturing processes that ensure high production quality. The connection of hardware and software creates new synergies in the manufacturing process.

How can the Industrie 4.0 approach be described?

ifm electronic's solution allows connectivity covering all interfaces and devices. The intelligent, bidirectional communication interface LINERECORDER Agent provides safe data transfer into higher-level ERP systems. It is also available as a platform-independent version integrated into pre-configured hardware components.

What could be achieved?

As an answer to the diversity of interfaces in the production environment, ifm developed an intelligent and universal data interface for controllers, fieldbuses and sensors. It allows bidirectional data exchange – irrespective of manufacturers and communication protocols. The interface can be configured without programming. Besides, ifm provides numerous intelligent hardware components, e.g. IO-Link masters, identification and camera systems or components for vibration monitoring. The generated data can be transmitted directly to target addresses and clouds. Web-based software products for visualisation and data analysis can be used worldwide for remote services.

"We have been pursuing the vision of intelligent networking for years. Today we can offer our customers system solutions that can be used across industries and are easy to implement."
Martin Buck, Chairman of the ifm group of companies

What measures have been taken to achieve the solution?

In cooperation with SAP, ifm developed an IoT Connector for the Internet of Things (IoT). Based on this, the Y path was developed: process values from sensors are sent directly to the target address (e.g. the ERP system), the cloud or to software for data analysis. The IoT Connector organises the worldwide service concept for the machines provided by an OEM machine supplier.

What can others learn from it?

The most important aspect when implementing the idea of Industrie 4.0 is to ensure the data flow from the process and sensor level into the cloud. The requirements and problems in the manufacturing environment are based on the diversified customer and industry environment and the related operating areas.