Industry 4.0


We are at the beginning of the 4th industrial revolution, in which the Matranda smart system will play its part.

We deal with fast deliveries, reliable products, high quality requirements and hugely competitive prices. To manage all these disciplines properly, the Matranda smart system offers the perfect solution.
The Matranda smart system manages, controls and visualises your production process.
The system controls the machine and the production process, whereby control can be carried out by an employee.

Most equipment is already equipped with a computer (machine control). But often the intelligence to link devices/machines and exchange data with each other is lacking.
For example, because a machine breaks down and basic material is still supplied. As a result, suppliers are then also already controlled, which will also increase stock again. As a manufacturer, you obviously don't want that.
Placing a smart system between these disciplines can prevent stocks from getting unnecessarily high.

This is a small example of what is possible with the Matranda smart system.
The smart system reaches worldwide with its own network. No data is stored in a cloud, but the system has its own storage server which is located in the building itself. This data is used by management, logistics, analytics and other key production managers.

To ensure data security, a private network was chosen to transmit the encrypted data. So no data will be sent and received over a WiFi network. We have thus completely eliminated corporate espionage.

Why IOT?


That is the first question that may be asked if an IOT device is going to be applied in an organisation and manufacturing environment.


What should be taken into account if an IOT device is going to be allowed in an organisation and manufacturing environment?


1) Every IOT device must have a calibration capability. As we now know, there are IOT devices on the market, which deviate enormously. From 10% to 100%. In reality, the values displayed by the IOT device will differ from the actual values. The question we then start asking ourselves : "What about the ISO quality requirements, such as the ISO9002?". So the possibility exists that with only 1 IOT device, no ISO certificate can be issued. So no more deliveries to end customers is possible.


2) IOT devices can establish function changes. For example, a pressure is measured with an IOT device in a pipe containing liquid. After a few years, someone gets the idea, as soon as the pressure drops, the machine must also shut down. A function change then takes place, and the decision model is suddenly determined by the IOT device. A control is then intervened in by the IOT device. With dire consequences. The question we then start asking ourselves : "What about the CE mark? Because this has lapsed due to a function change." The machine will have to be re-inspected.


3) IOT devices will hit the market at dumping prices in the future. What will be the consequences then?


4) Another important question that we ask ourselves : "Why apply an IOT device in a production environment, when the machine and equipment are already equipped with fittings to make those measurements?" We think for example of OPC solutions or of course the Matranda system.


In short, the bottom line is that an employee could be at risk from IOT devices, while Industry 4.0 puts employee safety first. The thinking and decisions are adopted by Industry 4.0, without creating dangerous situations in an organisation and production environments.

We now see IOT devices being deployed because employees are often incompetent to extract data and data from a machine. They often can no longer think along in terms of machine controls and ICT solutions. Then reaching for an IOT solution is for them, the easiest (and often the most dangerous) way.

The question is not where to set up an IOT device in your environment, but how to train your own employees within your organisation? So that they too are ready for Industry 4.0.

As Prof Dr Sol of TNO also clearly states:


"Invest initially in the learning ability and skills of employees, which will make further automation and robotisation within the factory smoother".


"In any case, make sure you have first determined where you want to go and - very importantly - just start doing it.

Start with modest implementations - where you are sure you can recoup - and gradually scale up. Be sure to start digitising your upstream and downstream network as well. For instance, express an ambition to link all real-time data from production equipment to your ERP in six months. Also make sure you get the hang of producing smaller series cost-effectively. That way, you can embed Smart Industry in your own organisation step by step."

Why store data in a Cloud?

 

Today, we see two different Cloud environments:

  • The Cloud environment by which data is sent over the Internet to a server somewhere outside the organisation and company. These servers can be in America or somewhere in Europe. These are called External Cloud environments.
  • The Cloud environment which is set up within the own organisation and company, i.e. locally. The data will not be shared over the Internet. This is called Internal Cloud environment.


The first question that concerns us is : "Why apply an external Cloud environment, when there are simple internal Cloud environments to set up?"

This is very easy and cheap to achieve. Through a UPS system and a Redudancy, all the stumbling blocks have been taken care of. 


The following problems present themselves with an external Cloud environment for Industry 4.0 :

  • An external Cloud environment should never be deployed in an Industrial layer. The danger to an employee will increase exceptionally. By this we mean that any data sent to an external Cloud increases the danger to an employee quadratically.


  • In an external Cloud environment, the MES layer is no longer easily accessible. If the MES layer can be reached (accessed) by the external Cloud, this can have huge consequences for the entire organisation. Because as soon as that single Internet connection is down, there is no longer any possibility of delivering products either. Because often in the MES layer is the quality control and barcode stickers are put on the final products. Stock management is also often in the MES layer. It is then a matter of waiting until the internet connection is restored.


  • Biggest problem of the external Cloud, are cyber attacks. In the future, there will be multiple and more severe cyber attacks. With an internal Cloud (UPS and redudance), all these problems will be eliminated. The cost of an internal Cloud is considerably cheap.


  • Extending an external Cloud environment will also increase. How will this be solved and then what will the (subscription) prices do? With an internal Cloud environment, an additional server is simply added. Industry 4.0 requires huge data storage. We can never predict how much data will be consumed to properly roll out Industry 4.0 and depends on each organisation.


  • An external Cloud in the ERP layer, is it responsible? The ERP layer is often where the finance departments are linked. They too are not waiting for Cyber attacks. DDOS attacks cannot be ruled out to this day. With DDOS, so much data is sent to the organisation in a very short period of time that the entire organisation or even areas can be taken down. Operation Power OFF is the example of international cooperation in the fight against DDoS attacks.