Briefing 2021

Initial situation

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable part of automation. Modern automation systems enable a simple and profitable combination of AI algorithms and PLC logic. With PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact, machine-oriented applications can be implemented on the basis of AI (Coral TPU from Google).

We have over 200 stations on our shop floor, such as manual workstations and machines and systems, from which we record the operating states. Many machines already offer an interface to retrieve states or push them into databases. For all others, we have developed a minimally invasive method (the PLCnext IoT-Box) to obtain information on the status of the machine, plant or workstation.

With the PLCnext IoT-Box, we can capture power consumption, phase shifts and other energy information in the supply line to the station. A total of 24 features are recorded by a current sensor. For complex systems, additional digital IO signals can be recorded to be able to examine the process even more closely. We store the data in different databases and archive them.

And now you come into play ...

Your task

Develop predictive analytics solutions for the monitoring and maintenance of our production facilities!

By using AI, operating states are labelled and deviations in the process are detected. Based on the sensor data, conclusions are drawn about critical conditions, such as overheating of a production plant. This enables a proactive response to possible failures.

Other possible implementations can be in the area of resource optimisation or quality control. Here, it would be conceivable to check the correct assembly process using video, image or even energy or sensor data.

You have the chance to distribute your solution via our PLCnext Store.

Perspectives

During the six-month IMM co-creation process, we will support you with our market knowledge and technical expertise. In addition, we make the entire portfolio of our PLCnext technology available to you.

This includes:

  • The PLCnext Control, which works with freely favoured programming languages.

  • The SPS programming software PLCnext Engineer.

  • The PLCnext store, which provides software applications (apps) for industrial use cases in the field of automation technology and offers the possibility of offering new apps commercially.

  • The PLCnext starter kits, which also offer exclusive access to the Proficloud for one year.

  • The PLCnext community, a platform for worldwide exchange among makers, developers and the established industry.

Ideally, our cooperation will result in such an attractive offer that we can successfully launch it on the market. In this case, we provide you with our store for the commercialisation of the app and are happy to take over the hardware part in the future as part of our cooperation.

Kick-off invitation

#IMM2021 online kick-off invitation from Thomas Lutzky (Phoenix Contact).

Intro video

Briefing pitch @ #IMM2021 online kick-off from Thomas Lutzky (Phoenix Contact) on April 15th, 2021.

Next steps

  • Register for our challenge! We will contact you as soon as possible to arrange a first meeting where we can agree on the next joint steps.

  • From June 21st to June 24th, we will also be at the future tech bootcamp with our technology and experts and look forward to developing exciting solutions together with you.

Contact

The main contact person for the project on the part of Phoenix Contact is Kurt Strauss.

About Phoenix Contact

Phoenix Contact, headquartered in Blomberg (Germany), is a family-owned company, global market leader and innovator in electrical engineering. With over 18,000 employees, the Phoenix Contact Group is today one of the world's leading manufacturers of products and solutions for industrial connectivity, device connection technology, mains and signal quality incl. overvoltage protection, interface technology and signal matching as well as automation technology.

In Austria, 76 employees work for Phoenix Contact at the locations in Vienna, Linz and Graz.

More about Phoenix Contact: www.phoenixcontact.com

Current main briefings 2021

Additional Future Tech Bootcamp briefing specials 2021

BRIEFINGS OF PREVIOUS YEARS