Indian manufacturers are at the brink of a technological transformation that is changing the way we work and communicate with each other. While manufacturing landscape is evolving rapidly, it is important for SMEs to learn and understand how global players are driving innovation, creating efficiencies and capturing value to thrive in a connected ecosystem. In this context, the Ethernet POWERLINK Standardization Group organised the fourth edition of the 'Smart Industry Conference', which was partnered by ABB India, Unlimit IoT- A Reliance Group company, HyperThings and B&R Industrial Automation.

The conference provided a deeper insight on various aspects such as digitisation in manufacturing, robotics, connectivity, technological trends and business-model transformation. It also addressed software aspects in connection with smart systems providing delegates with a thorough understanding of this pertinent subject. In addition, it also tried to answer questions such as what could be the easy and low risk path helping manufacturers adopt and harness technological change and tackling implementation challenges effectively.

The conference offered a mix of keynote address, technical presentations, panel discussions and demos, which looked at the different areas of building smart machines and factories. During the keynote presentation, Neeraj Singh, Director - Management Consulting, KPMG Advisory Services said, 'Technological disruption is an opportunity and not a threat. Digital transformation promises a remarkable change in the way manufacturers operate, with far-reaching effects on business and industry models.'

He highlighted five key success factors for early adopters: start with performance, not with data or technology; strive to optimise performance; there is no need of perfect data to get started; focus on RoI and paybacks; and collaboration for success.

This was followed by the presentations from, Alok Maheshwari, R&D Manager, BU Machine & Factory Automation, ABB India on 'Factory of the future and the robotic automation' and Sameer Kudalkar, PFA Sales - Mumbai Region, B&R Industrial Automation on 'Role of edge architecture enabling 'Smart Factories'.

Highlight of the conference was a panel discussion on, 'Building smart machines and factories: concept to implementation.' The panelists of the discussion were Venkatakrishnan K, Technology and Digital Lead, ABB India; Neeraj Singh, Director - Management Consulting, KPMG; and Ninad Deshpande, Head - Marketing, B&R Industrial Automation. The discussion was moderated by Pooja Patil, Corporate Communication, B&R Industrial Automation. The discussion was themed around underlining the challenges faced by manufacturers while building smart machines and smart factories and, thereafter, designing a roadmap to achieve successful implementation. Detailing challenges, speakers stressed on the importance of changing mindset of organisations while embracing transformation.

The audience understood the importance of open source communications for machine-to-machines and machine-to-cloud connectivity. They were convinced that all automation vendors should offer open communication in their devices, which will help them become vendor independent and achieve a vertical and horizontal connectivity. This was further emphasised by the presentation by EIMS India on 'Open technologies for successful ERP to shop floor integration: A user perspective' by Kamalnath M, VP Solution Management. EIMS have successfully integrated POWERLINK into their solutions for all real time deterministic shop floor communication and OPC UA for a controller to IT and cloud communication. These open source technologies have helped them achieve a seamless connectivity from sensors to the ERP.

With around 100 delegates from different industries, the conference provided the know-how for building smart machines and factories, which spanned across various horizons of industrial automation, robotics, open connective and cloud. The conference helped delegates to chalk out a roadmap for their own implementation and making their installation smart and ready for Industry 4.0.

High-resolution 3D camera
ifm electronic India offers new high-resolution 3D camera that captures scenes and objects in real time. On the basis of the PMD technology, the new 3D camera sees various scenes and objects in their spatial dimensions at a glance. The heart of this device is a new image chip with 23,000 receiving elements. Output is done via a grey-scale value and distance image, evaluation is easily possible using common libraries.

Advantages and function
In contrast to laser scanners which only have one receiving element, the image chip of the new O3D type device features 23,000 pixels! Therefore, the 3D camera has no moving parts, making it wear-free and robust. The intuitive parameter setting software allows easy and quick setting of the camera-specific parameters. Connection to MATLAB, HALCON, PCL and ROS is possible.

Multitude of applications
As each individual pixel measures the distance it is, for example, possible to precisely dimension and position suitcases, parcels and pallets. Moreover, the device facilitates automatic loading and unloading of containers, storage room optimisation, collision avoidance, navigation of driverless transport systems as well as counting of people and room monitoring. Even trunk measurement in a sawmill poses no problem. There is a wide selection of applications in different industries.

For more information:
ifm electronic India Pvt Ltd
Tel: +91-231-267 2770
Email: info.india@ifm.com
(Communication provided by company)