Ready for the Internet of Things: Smart Pneumatic Grid with OPC UA
With the Smart Pneumatic Grid, Aventics and Boge Kompressoren ensure intelligent system networking
A lower energy consumption for compressed air applications, actuators under control at all times, and adaptability to new conditions: At the Motek 2017 Aventics and Boge Kompressoren have shown how these requirements can be met. The two companies have intelligently networked compressed air generators and compressed air consumers with their joint project, the Smart Pneumatic Grid.
Laatzen (Germany), October 24, 2017 – In automation, horizontal and vertical networking to the Internet of Things is currently the most discussed topic. Many offers include comprehensive IT solutions that require a great amount of effort to implement. However, most manufacturers only want to gradually introduce vertical networking to gain experience and verify its efficiency. “Users look for solutions that are easy to implement, that help them cut operating costs, and increase the availability of their machines,” states Wolf Gerecke, responsible for strategic product management at Aventics.
This is where the Smart Pneumatics Grid, developed in collaboration between Boge Kompressoren and Aventics, comes into play. The Smart Pneumatics Grid is based on the machine-to-machine communication protocol OPC UA, which is accepted across manufacturers. Intelligently networking compressed air generators and compressed air consumers unlocks a variety of potentials for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing entire system topologies. “By knowing the current and upcoming air consumption, we can optimize control of the compressor performance, allowing users to significantly decrease energy consumption,” explains Peter Boldt, Head of Research and Development at Boge.
The Smart Pneumatic Grid identifies the energy need down to the individual consumer level and visualizes it clearly. With minimal effort, this information can be used to derive needs-based control rules for the Boge compressors. The Smart Pneumatic Grid also indicates an increase in air consumption, that is, a leak, specific to the consumer. “As a result, maintenance can act in good time before a machine standstill can even occur,” reinforces Wolf Gerecke.
The OPC UA communication protocol is currently the top standard for horizontal and vertical networking in the automation sector. It transfers data and statuses from devices to other components, machines, or superior instances, independent of fieldbus communication with the control.
Boge and Aventics established the technological basis for this intelligent system networking within the “it’s OWL” cluster promoted by the German government. Boge Kompressoren Otto Boge GmbH & Co. KG is a leading supplier of compressors and compressed air systems headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany.
Media contact:
AVENTICS, Meike Müller-Wiegand
Ulmer Str. 4
D-30880 Laatzen
+49 511 2136-862
meike.mueller-wiegand@aventics.com
Contact for readers:
AVENTICS, Wolf Gerecke
Ulmer Str. 4
D-30880 Laatzen
+49 511 2136-575
wolf.gerecke@aventics.com
About Aventics
Aventics is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pneumatic components, systems, and customer-specific applications. The pneumatic engineering company provides products and services for industrial automation, while additionally focusing on the sectors of commercial vehicles, food and beverage, railway technology, life sciences, energy, and marine technology. By integrating electronics, the use of innovative materials and prioritizing trends such as machine safety and the Internet of Things, Aventics is a pioneer in applied and environmentally-friendly solutions.
With around 150 years of expertise in pneumatics, Aventics employs approx. 2,000 associates worldwide. In addition to production sites in Germany (Laatzen), France (Bonneville), Hungary (Eger), USA (Lexington), and China (Changzhou), Aventics is represented in more than 90 countries through direct sales and dealers. The Aventics Group has received multiple certifications, including ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16949 for quality, ISO 50001 for energy management, and ISO 14001 for environmental management. Further information is available at www.aventics.com.
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