Digitalization of installed base
How can you generate data from older gear cutting machines, which are needed for the processes of Industry 4.0? Liebherr has the answer, because the vast majority of digitalizing products found in gear technology can be retrofitted without a problem.
Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH’s modular digitalization kit consists of data profiles, interfaces, logs and apps from the LHWebPlatform, which can be used to visualize and evaluate machine data. The range of applications spans from simple monitoring tasks to all-encompassing Industry 4.0 scenarios such as process logging, manufacturing analysis and production optimization. When you purchase a new machine, Liebherr will install all system connection options on request.
Just about everything we install on our new machines can be retrofitted on older machines manufactured up to the early 2000s.
Possible retrofitting of existing machines
But older machines can also be brought up to speed for Industry 4.0 processes: Florian Schuon, Head of Digital Solutions at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH comments, “Just about everything we install on our new machines can be retrofitted on older machines manufactured up to the early 2000s.” The company’s digital data profiles consist of three packages: The “Basic” entry-level package with approx. 30 signals enables status monitoring. The mid-range profile “Production” provides data for production optimization. The most comprehensive profile “Process”, with more than 1,000 signals and data for process monitoring, can be supplemented with customer-specific extensions upon request. The most common log OPC UA is implemented on older machines using a special gateway.
Reliable data even from older machines
In practice, post-digitalization has already been successfully implemented at various companies. Even companies using the comprehensive “Process” data profile with customer-specific extensions were able to retrofit this to their existing Liebherr machines within a few weeks. Using OPC UA, even the oldest machines reliably deliver valuable data with clear data structures and the desired data profile.
