Industrial sensor devices and software specialist Sick has introduced an on-premise data intelligence platform for Industry 4.0 to help deliver improvements to operational performance for manufacturing and logistics firms.
Known as Sick Field Analytics, the platform can deliver tailored condition monitoring and process insights, independent of an organisation’s existing machinery and systems, Sick has said.
The digitalisation platform was designed to be vendor-agnostic and works by gathering and consolidating data from sources such as sensors, machine controllers and other IIoT devices.
Other benefits the company highlighted include software offers real-time data visualisation, timely alerts, alarms, and historical trend analysis through robust dashboard graphics.
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By leveraging the Sick Field Analytics software and a dedicated computer, users can aggregate data from disparate machines and automation systems or enhance legacy automation systems to glean additional data insights.
The solution set-up is intended to be scalable, allowing users to adopt it on a project-by-project basis or implement it organisation-wide.
Charlie Walker, digital solutions consultant, Sick UK, highlighted the platform’s ability to support users in advancing toward greater Industry 4.0 digital maturity. The platform addresses challenges related to collecting and comparing data from various machines or applications, regardless of different communication protocols and data storage methods.
By collecting data from diverse sources, Sick claims it can provide improved efficiency by eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming adaptations to existing systems.
The solutions also enables operators to extract more information about the health and efficiency of their machines to overcome obstacles such as restricted access to PLCs or other systems, Sick added.
In addition to this, the user-friendly management module ensures controlled access rights and organisations can tailor their Field Analytics package to understand the condition of their machinery through dashboard graphics and visual alerts.
Key features include the ability to set up and trend KPIs, react to real-time alerts swiftly, track overall operating effectiveness and monitor measurements related to profitability and efficiency.
Additionally, the platform can also be used to improve data from legacy automated systems, operate at higher organisational levels and support common communication protocols like Rest API, OPC UA and MQTT.
The latest developments in robotics and automated technologies for materials handling will be on show at the Robotics and Automation Exhibition, which will be held on 19-20 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham. Register now to attend the UK’s biggest exhibition dedicated to robotics and automation, which is co-located with Britain’s biggest warehousing show, IntraLogisteX, where Sick will exhibit at Stand 536.
