This article briefly discusses the challenge of deploying IIoT technology and explains how advances in open systems and factory automation hardware offer solutions. The article introduces an example implementation of next-generation PLC hardware and software from Phoenix Contact and shows how it simplifies gathering data and sending it to the Cloud for analysis and automated decision making. The importance of the PLC The mainstay of the factory is the PLC, a digital device invented in the late 1960s to replace earlier relay logic systems. PLCs are designed to work in difficult environments without fail for many years. The key to this reliability is a focus on
Automation founded on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) promises faster time-to- market, improved productivity, greater safety, lower costs, and higher quality. That said, there are still obstacles. Legacy systems that are difficult to upgrade, overly conservative engineering departments, closed systems, and a lack of specialist knowledge are some of the problems that are holding back the Industry 4.0 revolution. While suitable standards- based technologies provide the backbone of the connected factory, many legacy, or ‘workhorse’, programmable logic controller (PLC) hardware and software have limited capabilities. This makes it challenging for engineers to quickly implement the factory- wide upgrades that are needed to take full advantage of the IIoT. Further complicating matters, engineers risk basing expensive factory upgrades on technology that could become outdated or unsupported as new technologies are introduced. Lessons can be learned from other parts of the IoT, such as the smart home, where open systems, collaborative platforms, and accessible software make it easier to implement future-proof intelligent solutions. Industrial automation manufacturers are embracing this experience and knowledge.
Address industrial automation challenges with a new generation of PLC hardware
Written by: Steven Keeping, Contributing Author, DigiKey
Figure 1: Rugged and reliable, PLCs are the backbone of factory automation. Image source: Phoenix Contact
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