Hitachi, Ltd. conducted a technical verification test linking the “Hitachi Intelligent Platform,” which supports IoT/data utilization, with the “Device Gateway” of Takebishi Corporation, and confirmed that OT data from industrial equipment of different manufacturers and generations can be collected on the cloud without coding. Based on this verification, Hitachi and Hitachi will start offering a product traceability solution from today that combines the products of both companies to realize advanced quality and risk management in production operations.
This solution easily realizes advanced product traceability by utilizing not only IT data such as ERP production plans and MES quality control, but also OT data such as the operation status of production equipment and sensor information. In addition, by utilizing Hitachi’s AI knowledge and know-how, it is also possible to automate tracking work and detect signs of product defects using AI.
As the manufacturing environment changes dramatically, digital transformation (DX) initiatives using IoT and AI are becoming more widespread, and various data from production sites to business management is being integrated, visualized, and analyzed, leading to rapid data-based management decisions and continuous business improvements. To sustainably promote such initiatives, it is important to efficiently collect and integrate the various IT/OT data scattered across production sites and business systems. However, the various machines and robots used in production sites have different communication protocols and data items depending on the type and manufacturer, making it difficult to collect and effectively use this OT data.
Also Read: Mitsubishi Heavy launches eco-friendly next-gen transport
HIPF is a one-stop service that supports everything from formulating a DX strategy concept based on Hitachi’s abundant success stories, to building a data utilization platform and digital twin, to appropriate security measures and operation management. Takebishi, a technology trading company that handles industrial electrical and electronic equipment, mainly Mitsubishi Electric products, has a device gateway that collects information from the production site and bridges it to IoT services. It supports more than 170 series of industrial equipment, including PLCs, sensors, water and power equipment, and building automation equipment. Now, by linking “Hitachi Data Hub,” one of HIPF’s data collection functions, with Takebishi’s device gateway, it will be possible to easily collect OT data from industrial equipment such as machine tools, robots, and PLCs, which previously required time-consuming individual development, without coding.
Furthermore, by linking collected IT/OT data with manufacturing processes using the production site digital twin solution “IoT Compass” and the high-speed data access platform “Hitachi Advanced Data Binder (HADB),” it becomes possible to grasp the status of work-in-progress and products flowing through the factory in a timely manner. By expanding the scope of data to the entire factory, it is possible to build an advanced traceability system that can track the suppliers of each part, work methods such as assembly methods, inspection contents, and even the delivery destination of the completed product. This enables quick and efficient investigation of the cause of defects (traceback) and identification of the scope of impact (traceforward), contributing to strengthening risk management such as improving quality control and identifying the appropriate scope of recalls.
Hitachi will continue to deepen its collaboration with Takebishi to contribute to the promotion of digital transformation for its manufacturing customers, including by using the cloud to visualize data across the entire production site, utilizing AI, and building digital twins.
SOURCE: PRTimes
