Integration of a smart 5G clamping pallet in a learning factory environment

Abstract

With an increasing number of smart networked devices being used for data acquisition in production, reliable connectivity and fast communication are becoming increasingly important. Since mobile networks have been developed accordingly, 5G technology is also being used more frequently for machine-to-machine communication. The main advantages of 5G are very high data rates combined with low latency, which are essential for appropriate data acquisition in production. Although 5G is widely used in mobile phones, users are not familiar with 5G communication within the production domain. Also, companies that want to use 5G devices in their production environment often lack knowledge regarding implementation, connectivity issues, or best practices. The smart clamping pallet presented in this paper demonstrates the current possibilities of industrial communication with 5G. Various sensor systems such as GPS, acceleration sensors, and force measurement are installed in the pallet, enabling precise localization and in-process control of the production process. The fully automatic vice integrated into the pallet, which works independently from any wired connection, represents the basis for future highly flexible and collaborative manufacturing processes. Particularly concepts of distributed manufacturing can be implemented based on this. This setup enables a knowledge transfer for users and companies and hands-on training within the production domain. In the future, the pallet will be used in the TU Wien Pilot Factory Industry 4.0 (TU PF) to demonstrate and familiarise learners and other interested individuals with the possibilities of today’s industrial communication. In particular, networking and digitization can be understood based on this industrial use case for 5G. This use case meets the three pillars of the TU PF concept: (1) product piloting, (2) demonstration, and (3) knowledge transfer and education.