Pepperl+Fuchs, Software AG and Dell to Show Joint IoT Showcase at SPS IPC Drives 2018

Pepperl+Fuchs is contributing various components from its Sensorik4.0® portfolio to this exemplary system for depaneling printed circuit boards. Photoelectric sensors from the modular R10x series are used to position the milling head, while an inductive positioning system from the PMI-F90 series supports the control of the step motor. All components, including the step motor, are connected to an Ethernet IO module with integrated IO-Link master from Pepperl+Fuchs via IO-Link. This module connects the components with a control panel via PROFINET and makes the process and status data that is aggregated via IO-Link available to IT systems on the office floor in parallel via an edge gateway from Dell.

Hall 7A, Booth 330

The flexible Embedded Box PC 5000 from Dell is used as the edge computing basis for the exchange of information between the shop and office floors. This compact and energy-efficient industrial PC can be adapted to ensure that hardware performance exactly matches the actual requirements of an application. With a rugged design, it can also be used in process environments, such as at the panel separator. Software AG and Pepperl+Fuchs subsidiary Neoception, which specializes in the development of IIoT applications, has equipped the Embedded Box PC 5000 with the necessary software agents and Cumulocity Cloud Gateway to establish communication between the fieldbus, IO-Link devices, and the IoT cloud. 

Hall 6, Booth 454

Software AG's cloud-based Cumulocity IoT platform hosts the application that is the data’s destination. In this solution, process and status data are analyzed and interpreted across multiple locations to provide users with quality information to uncover new business or productivity opportunities. To conserve resources, the data is processed at the edge of the network and only the data relevant to the application is forwarded. The range of application use cases includes real-time condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, production process optimization and field service management.

Hall 5, Booth 360

"With the joint showcase at the upcoming SPS IPC Drives, trade show visitors will experience a holistic concept that includes not only our IoT platform but also the underlying IO-Link sensor technology and edge computing hardware. On behalf of all three project participants, I'm delighted to invite interested parties to our exhibition booths, where we'll be happy to discuss and explain in person," says Werner Rieche, Regional President DACH at Software AG.

“Many companies are looking for ways to efficiently use the Internet of Things in their production processes. With our joint showcase at SPS IPC Drives, we are giving our customers a preconfigured IoT solution that they can implement quickly, easily, and affordably. It will help them optimize production efficiency while reducing the number of business partners necessary,” says Doris Albiez, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dell EMC Germany. We are delighted to have two strong local top players like Pepperl+Fuchs and Software AG on our side. The showcase at SPS IPC Drives demonstrates the innovative strength of this collaboration and is the gateway to further joint IoT projects.”

“In the era of Industry 4.0, IT and automation companies are being increasingly challenged to combine their competences and offer customers truly integrated value-added solutions. Our cooperation with Dell and Software AG demonstrates the enormous potential unleashed by the combination of IO-Link sensors with hardware and IoT software platforms,” sums up Benedikt Rauscher, Head of Global IoT/I4.0 Projects at Pepperl+Fuchs.

Pepperl+Fuchs offers a broad portfolio of industrial sensors for electrical automation that incorporates all functional principles and satisfies all applications of modern automation industry. Technologies and products for hazardous locations are also precisely tailored to specific target markets. A comprehensive product range offers solutions for every type of protection that ensure maximum availability and safety. The technology from Pepperl+Fuchs is now firmly established around the world in a wide variety of markets.

Software AG helps companies with their digital transformation. With Software AG’s Digital Business Platform, companies can better interact with their customers and bring them on new ‘digital’ journeys, promote unique value propositions, and create new business opportunities. In the Internet of Things (IoT) market, Software AG enables enterprises to integrate, connect and manage IoT components as well as analyze data and predict future events based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Digital Business Platform is built on decades of uncompromising software development, IT experience and technological leadership. Software AG has more than 4,500 employees, is active in 70 countries and had revenues of €879 million in 2017.