In the future, Schubert will derive valuable knowledge from its machines’ data, which will serve to further improve customer machines and processes. To fully capitalise on machine networking and the benefits of Industry 4.0, Schubert developed the GRIPS.world digital platform, which the company presented for the first time at interpack 2017.
With GRIPS.world, a web-based platform is being created, which will raise internal communication as well as communication with customers to an all-new level of performance. The main objective of GRIPS.world is to further optimise production and maintain overall machine efficiency at a high level over its entire service life. This is achieved by using status and performance data transmitted by the machine, for example, to quickly derive measures for preventive maintenance. In the future, all Schubert Group employees, as well as customers, suppliers and TLM machines, will be able to access the platform. Access will be available through any web browser – via PCs as well as tablets and smartphones.
The first phase on the path towards GRIPS.world is the data box. In the future, this interface developed by Schubert System Elektronik will supplement every one of Schubert’s TLM packaging machines as standard. As a gateway, it retrieves relevant information on maintenance, control and machine performance and transmits it to GRIPS.world for evaluation. A practical applicationA practical example at the Schubert stand provides visitors with preliminary insight into the potential that GRIPS.world offers – possibilities that will go far beyond predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. At the interpack, Schubert is showing an F4 robot equipped with a sensor. In practice, the sensors monitor the component’s condition, values are collected in the data box and sent to GRIPS.world for analysis. Special algorithms evaluate this data and prepare it for the customer on their dashboard. At the trade fair, Schubert is showing a version of this dashboard with a sample application. Through the dashboard, the user has an overview of all processes relating to his TLM packaging system and receives, as an example, individualised recommendations for increasing production efficiency.
In the context of the application presented, a fictitious production manager receives a notification on his mobile device about an issue relating to his TLM system. This takes place within the scope of “predictive maintenance” even before the actual wear could lead to a failure. The programme then proposes possible remedial measures to the production manager – and the programme intuitively guides him through the next steps.
The basis for the visual representation on the dashboard is the digital twin, which is a key element in GRIPS.world. This is a three-dimensional image of the TLM machine, which can be moved in real time using the original code from the VMS packaging machine control system. In addition to the customer-specific application, the digital twin also serves to further perfect design and construction at Schubert. This enables the illustration of all internal steps in the development of packaging machines. Accelerated design sequences and shorter delivery times are just some of the anticipated customer benefits. An individually tailored serviceOne of the digital platform’s special service benefits for customers is spare parts ordering. Separate spare part lists, which would have to be adjusted when changes are made to the machine, will be obsolete in the future, since the current status of the machine as well as its spare parts requirements will be available directly via a browser. The data accessed by the involved applications is stored only once in a database. Extensive Excel tables, which mostly lead to redundant data and, not infrequently, errors, are entirely eliminated.
By means of corresponding programmes, it will also be possible to evaluate the product quality parameters and to intervene quickly – ideally even before a malfunction arises. In the future, the data box as a standard component will increase system efficiency over its entire service life. Additionally, customers will benefit from tailor-made services: production processes without unscheduled downtime.
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