PRETTY SMART.

The Internet of Things with Lobster.

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects objects and turns them into intelligent assets that communicate with people, applications, and each other. When IoT is used in industrial manufacturing, it is referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In this context, either the newer communication protocol MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport) or the well-established protocol OPC UA (Open Platform Communication) are primarily used. Both are very important for Industry 4.0 concepts and are available in Lobster_data.

CUSTOMERS WHO RELY ON LOBSTER.

BENEFITS.

360-degree data exchange

for all formats & all communication channels

Client & server operations

for TCP, OPC UA – both operating modes are possible

Easy read and write access

for all data and functions

100% integration

of IoT data into new & existing systems

Dynamic exchange

of input arguments or field descriptions

Protocol mix

using TCP, MQTT, OPC UA alone & in combination

Individual profile call

as TCP & OPC UA functions in TCP, OPC UA server operation

Special rates

for Lobster customers at the MQTT broker HiveMQ

Full support

for TCP, MQTT, OPC UA functionalities such as alerts to the client

IOT BENEFITS FOR COMPANIES.

Source: IoT Spotlight Report, 2020

REDUCTION IN OPERATING COSTS
0 %
INCREASE IN
MARKET SHARE
0 %
INCREASE IN
REVENUE
0 %

FUNCTIONS.

IoT offers numerous benefits to companies, ranging from intelligent data collection and targeted process automation, to savings through increased security in manufacturing and transportation, and ultimately an optimised customer experience and increased revenue. However, to actually capitalise on these opportunities, companies need user-friendly software with appropriate IoT capabilities.

#1 Step

Setting up MQTT connections

#2 Step

Receiving data with the MQTT input agent

#3 Step

Sending data with the MQTT output agent

#4 Step

MQTT message transmission as a direct function call

#5 Step

MQTT with Kafka for Industry 4.0 and data fabric

MQTT

As part of MQTT, Lobster_data always acts as a client and supports MQTT 3 and 5. The professional MQTT broker from HiveMQ is recommended as the MQTT server.

Lobster_data is continuously being developed to support important innovations:

  • MQTT Security
  • MQTT Topic Structures
#1 Step

Enabling OPC UA in the channel settings for Industry 4.0

To the documentation

#2 Step

Server or client: Receiving data with the OPC UA input agent

To the documentation

#3 Step

Using IoT functions for direct control of OPC UA

To the documentation

#4 Step

IoT channel type 'Industry 4.0' (via HTTP)

To the documentation

OPC UA Messaging Protocol

Lobster_data supports OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) in client or server mode.

Different functions simplify the connection and reliable exchange of data, even with secure connections between different devices and systems.

#1 Step

Managing TCP connections

To the documentation

#2 Step

Receiving data with the TCP input agent in the interface configuration

To the documentation

#3 Step

Sending data in the TCP response path

To the documentation

#4 Step

TCP client or server connections in direct function calls

To the documentation

TCP

Direct establishment of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) connections in cases where the devices and machines to be connected are not MQTT and/or OPC UA capable.

Without Lobster_data, our packaging equipment simply could not communicate with SAP or the transport robots and vice versa. The synergetic efficiencies that Lobster_data created have saved us 3 FTEs, which is invaluable given the current skills shortage!

Volker Rankl

Head of Logistics, Linhardt GmbH & Co. KG

Use Cases 4.0.

Industry 4.0 is not only an industrial revolution in terms of digital networking and communication, but above all with regard to a possible expansion of previous business models. Only by thinking beyond the analogue business model is the real potential in the complete digitisation of companies to be found.

Integrated automation of processes in the networked factory (smart factory) via consistent, multilateral data exchange between all process areas of a company.

User-friendly and comprehensive extraction and collection of data for use in machine learning applications.

Improved data acquisition through algorithms can be applied in various use cases, such as predicting maintenance requirements more accurately, or combining data on energy consumption (electricity, space, fuel) for precise cost planning.

The use of IoT trackers leads to higher transparency in the traceability of processes, even over long distances and multiple locations. Here are some examples:

  • GPS trackers
    GPS trackers enable companies to track their vehicles and equipment in real-time, allowing them to optimise the location of deliveries, vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption, and prevent theft.
  • Temperature and humidity measuring devices
    Measuring devices can be placed directly in deliveries or warehouses and ensure that sensitive goods such as medicines, food or electronic equipment are stored in the correct environment. Companies can therefore avoid damage during transportation and also demonstrate that their goods were in perfect condition when they were delivered.
  • Asset trackers
    These trackers allow the location and condition of machines or other valuable goods to be monitored. This allows companies to optimise the proper maintenance of their equipment and prevent potential losses due to downtime. Theft can also be prevented or more quickly resolved using these trackers.
  • Health trackers
    Wearable devices can be used to monitor the health of employees in health-sensitive areas of the company (manufacturing, laboratories, firefighting, etc.) or patients in real-time with their consent, and to provide quick support in critical, individual situations.
  • Energy trackers
    This tracker can monitor the energy-efficient use of resources in buildings, facilities, or machines, allowing companies to optimise energy consumption and save on costs.

Real-time monitoring generates data on, among other things, the current status of fleet vehicles such as their cargo space occupancy, total weight, tire pressure, loading and unloading times, compliance with rest periods, etc.

It enables the status control of goods – data that is particularly important for the proper handling of orders and thus customer satisfaction, especially for very sensitive products.

Real-time monitoring can also accurately calculate the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) for both scheduled and delayed deliveries, and communicate it to the customer accordingly.

The use of geofencing involves drawing a user-specific virtual boundary in a pre-defined area, where a user-defined action is also set to take place.
If an event deviates from this geolocated boundary, such as diverging from the planned route, the employees responsible will be promptly notified through alerts.
Geofencing also serves as proof of regulatory compliance to authorities and business partners.

There are many examples of IoT installations in industry that are designed for simple plug-and-play installations. Here are some examples:

  • Intelligent lighting systems
    These systems use wireless sensors and networked lamps to optimise lighting in buildings and facilities. Installation is straightforward as sensors and lamps can be replaced or added without the need for any wiring.
  • Climate and heating control
    These systems utilise wireless sensors and intelligent thermostats to regulate temperature and humidity in buildings and facilities. Again, the use of sensors and thermostats is done without wiring.
  • Machine monitoring
    Monitoring machines can be made much easier by using wireless sensors and networked surveillance cameras. Here, too, the sensors and cameras can be attached wirelessly to the machines.
  • Status monitoring of equipment
    Wireless sensors and intelligent monitoring software generate data on the condition and performance of equipment and provide reliable values, for example, in the context of predictive maintenance.
  • Intelligent warehousing
    The use of many different sensors and intelligent systems can optimise warehousing. Different functions facilitate the connection and reliable data exchange, even with secure connections between different devices and systems.

The use of intelligent solutions for smart access management brings many advantages in the context of Industry 4.0 safety management. Here are a few examples:

  • Smart Door
    Digital access management system without keys and transponders using barcodes to open doors and barriers and for granting time-dependent or independent access to special rooms. Specific solutions include stand-alone electronic devices and their simple installation next to existing access systems (extension with barcode scanner or internet connection), scanning of a QR, barcode or card code (physical or digital), or online generation of access codes via e-mail.
  • Smart Lock
    The lock is unlocked via Bluetooth using an app on the authorised person’s smartphone.

The online connection of scales for weighing directly to ERP systems enables the automatic availability/integration of data on weight entries, actually measured weight or target/actual comparison, for example for pallet deliveries to logistics companies.
The digitalisation of weighing processes helps to significantly reduce data entry errors, increase throughput times and prevent undesirable developments through real-time data.

Unique recipes for food or medicinal products often represent a crucial asset for companies. The consistent taste or effect of the products has a significant impact on customer satisfaction and revenue.
Digitisation of formulation control in production plants significantly contributes to maintaining the quality required, and helps to comply with strict legal regulations for food and medication, enabling proof of compliance with both authorities and partners

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