Production 4.0

Experts agree that in the future, all companies in the competitive international market must embrace Production 4.0. Companies have to lay the foundations for future development and prepare for networked production. In the next generation of factory, people, machines and resources will communicate. Highly individualized products are produced in a highly flexible and resource-efficient manner. Customers and business partners are an integral part of the value creation processes.

Yet, there is still a long way to go until this vision becomes a reality. Schmalz has already taken steps to support its customers with innovative and future-proof vacuum solutions. Our work was focused on intelligent process communication long before everyone started talking about the “industry of Things.” In 2008, we introduced the world's first vacuum generators with an IO-Link interface in preparation for Production 4.0. Today, we are the first manufacturer to combine sensor and actuator functions in an Industry 4.0-compatible vacuum switch.

All our efforts and endeavors have one common goal: Through intelligent vacuum solutions, we want to help our customers to make their production processes more productive, efficient and flexible in order to increase their competitiveness.

Handling Process Data in Real Time

Schmalz develops smart field devices that enable process data to be used in real time. Our intelligent products feature integrated energy and process control functions. They collect and interpret data and then make it visible for the user.

One example is the compact terminal SCTMi. This compact terminal consists of up to 16 individual ejectors that can be controlled individually. A single compressed air supply and one electrical connection is all that is required. All relevant parameters, such as the energy consumption and performance in the vacuum system can be recorded, monitored and analyzed via the IO-Link interface.

Making Process Data Visible Using NFC Technology

In addition to an IO-Link interface, Schmalz provides an additional means of communication with intelligent products in the form of NFC technology. Process data is recorded directly and transferred securely to a smartphone via a point-to-point contact using NFC. Device and process information can also be parameterized on the smartphone.

Vacuum Generation without Compressed Air

With the ECBPi technology development, Schmalz presents a gripper with electrical vacuum generation, i.e. the vacuum is generated without any use of compressed air. The gripper is therefore both energy-efficient and mobile, making handling processes in logistics or production more flexible and productive. The ECBPi has an integrated interface for gripper and robot connection, enabling rapid integration into the production process.

Via an IO-Link interface, the ECBPi provides the user with energy and process data from the machine to the cloud. Deviations in the vacuum supply are monitored so that errors and downtimes can be reduced and plant safety increased. The ECBPi can also be parameterized directly on the device, via an NFC-enabled smartphone or via IO-Link in the control center.