Networking is currently the keyword when it comes to predictive maintenance and Industry 4.0. Industrial IoT platforms are used for this purpose. One such platform has now been developed by automation specialist Fanuc. The Fanuc Intelligent Edge Link & Drive System (FIELD for short) was presented by the company at EMO. The field system enables production machines to be networked with each other. It can work both "on premise" or, in future, with a cloud connection.

The system collects and analyzes the machine data on site. This means that operating data and sensor data from the machines can be collected and accessed centrally via a single server. Efficiency can be easily monitored, production processes accelerated and maintenance work planned. Thanks to the openness of the platform, all machines can be connected.

Apps for the system are offered by Fanuc and third-party providers. Igus has also developed an app for its Smart Plastics and made it available to the field platform. By integrating the Igus Smart Plastics app, users can monitor the condition of their energy chains and cables at any time and plan maintenance in advance. In future, it will also be possible to monitor the condition of rotary table, linear and plain bearings using the app.

Connection via in a secure environment

Under the name Isense, Igus offers a wide range of sensors that record the condition of Igus components. Among other things, they measure wear during operation and issue an alarm as soon as a repair or replacement is required. icom.plus communication module provides the data via an integrated OPC UA server. This data is transferred to the platform via the Fanuc converter. "Thanks to the openness of the field system, the customer now has the option of using the data and service life statements of all Igus products in a protected local network environment," explains Richard Habering, Head of Smart Plastics at Igus.

"The Igus Smart Plastics app tells the maintenance technician in how many days he should carry out the next maintenance. Unplanned system downtimes can thus be avoided." Users can download the app via the Field System App Store. Here, customers have the option of selecting their desired software solutions themselves.