Walking through the halls of PACK EXPO, it’s not at all uncommon to see robots picking up objects and putting them down elsewhere, flexing their packaging and palletizing muscles. What is less common is to see data from that machine displayed at another booth somewhere else on the trade show floor.
But we’ve entered into an age of Internet-connected machines and devices, where data of all kinds can be sent to the cloud for dissemination to other web-based devices. And as much as manufacturers might be hesitant to jump into something labeled as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or Industry 4.0, the fact is that it’s become much more common for them to be involved with some aspect of the technology.
In its booth at PACK EXPO this week, Beckhoff Automation is demonstrating this proof of concept with two of its OEM customers—Flexicell and Groninger. For example, the in-booth HMI shows in real time the activity of the Flexicell palletizer further down the aisle, detailing the layers and cartons being stacked and unstacked by a six-axis robot, and the production speed of the work. And with a quick scan of a QR code, anyone can get the same information on their smartphone or tablet. The concept is HMI anywhere, showing the ability to push live data to any screen.
It’s all part of the practical implementation of the cloud-connected Smart Factory, combining IIoT-enabled hardware and software technologies. But don’t try to tell manufacturers that what they’re doing is IIoT or Industry 4.0. For some, no matter what level of activity they have in high-end traceability or Internet connectivity, they’re often hesitant to put a label on it, said Shane Novacek, marketing communications manager at Beckhoff. “They’re hesitant to identify it with a label. It’s more about the capabilities, like continuous improvement or monetization,” he said. “They’re not in it because it’s cool. They’re in it to do something real.”
