How to Connect Your Machines? Protocols and IoT

How to Connect Your Industrial Machines to Industry 4.0: In Brief

Industrial machine connectivity has become a central pillar in industrial digital transformation. Between newer and older equipment, manufacturing companies face various challenges in establishing effective industrial communication. This guide details the available solutions for connecting your equipment, whether through standard communication protocols or IoT solutions, enabling true industrial automation.

Which Protocols to Choose for Industrial Connectivity?

What is the OPC UA Protocol?

OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is the reference standard for modern industrial communication. This protocol allows secure interoperability between different industrial equipment, particularly well-suited for Allen Bradley systems.

Other Essential Standard Protocols

The main options for machine-to-machine communication include:

• The S7 protocol, which ensures connectivity of Siemens controllers
• The FOCAS protocol, which allows communication with FANUC equipment
• The MT-CONNECT standard, which facilitates the integration of CNC machine tools

Advantages of Standardized Protocols

The main benefits include:

• Native communication allowing direct data exchange
• Increased reliability in information transfer
• Optimized installation process for integration
• Enhanced machine data collection

How to Connect Older Machines to Industrial IoT?

Overview of the Machine Park

You may have noticed that many industrial machines are considered "deaf and mute," meaning they lack any standard communication protocol. This is particularly true for older equipment, which often constitutes a significant portion of industrial installations.

The Principle of Electrical Signals

All industrial machines, whether old or new, operate on the same fundamental principle: they use electrical signals for their operation. These signals, whether analog or digital, carry essential information about the machine’s state and operation.

Why Choose an IoT Solution for Industrial Machines?

Industrial IoT offers a universal approach based on industrial sensors. This solution allows:

• Data capture from any equipment using electrical signals
• Installation of sensors alongside existing ones, without disrupting machine operation
• Modernization of older equipment without major modifications
• Standardization of data collection across different generations of machines

Practical Connection Solutions

IoT Solution Architecture

The system is based on:

• Intelligent IoT gateways like the K2 that collect and transmit sensor signals in real time
• Intelligent conversion of analog data into digital format
• Secure transmission to cloud infrastructure via IoT boxes serving as gateways
• Interpretation software that transforms signals into actionable information

Selection Criteria

To optimize your industrial connectivity:

• Assess the age and technical capabilities of your equipment
• Identify specific machine data needs
• Consider installation and maintenance constraints
• Plan integration into your existing digital ecosystem

Answers to Your Questions

You may be wondering what prerequisites are needed to connect an industrial machine, how to choose between a standard protocol and an IoT solution, what the typical installation duration is, or how to integrate the collected data into your production system. Our industrial connectivity experts are here to assist you and answer all your questions. Feel free to contact them for personalized responses tailored to your specific industrial context.

Conclusion

Industrial digital transformation necessarily involves effective industrial machine connectivity. Whether you choose standard communication protocols or industrial IoT solutions, the key is to establish reliable industrial communication. Current technologies enable the connection of practically all industrial equipment, from the newest to the oldest, paving the way for true Industry 4.0. The key to success lies in choosing a solution suited to your specific context, enabling progressive and controlled industrial automation.