A unified and cybersecure Industry 4.0 deployment requires multiple levels of connectivity. The first level of connectivity starts on the factory floor with the control of individual devices, including machines and robots, sensors, and traceability solutions. The second level of connectivity extends to mid- level automation with human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and machine-to- machine communication. The highest level of connectivity links with the company’s information technology (IT) and operations technology (OT) systems to coordinate overall logistics and maximize efficiency and productivity. Satisfying diverse connectivity needs requires an automation platform that supports multiple open protocols like EtherCAT, Safety over EtherCAT (also called FailSafe over EtherCAT or FSoE), EtherNet Industrial Protocol (EtherNet/IP), common industrial protocol (CIP) Safety, and IO-Link for connecting machines, machine controls, sensors, vision systems, safety devices, and HMIs. The Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) protocol is needed to support data consolidation, sharing, and secure visibility across the enterprise. Finally, a software platform is required that integrates configuration, programming, simulation, and monitoring with an intuitive interface, allowing engineers to manage process control, motion, safety, vision, and robotics in one system.
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