- SmartFactory-KL presents a “Smart Safety” concept at the Hannover Messe
- AI minimizes safety risk at modular units
The safety policies must adapt to the flexible processes of the modular plant. The production processes in Industrie 4.0 plants often vary because of the various lot sizes - often at lot size 1. The safety of the production staff is of utmost importance and new policies must be implemented. AI provides an ideal solution to the challenge of minimizing the safety risk at modular work stations. Risks can be detected and the appropriate risk minimization measures can be initiated by adaptive AI algorithms.
“Artificial intelligence helps reduce the safety risk associated with modular work units. In the more complex Industrie 4.0 production plants of the future, such a smart safety concept will be necessary as today's strict safety policies will no longer be adequate for the flexible factories of the future,“ said Prof. Dr. Martin Ruskowski, Department Head of Innovative Factory Systems research at DFKI and expert in the use of AI for manufacturing.
Automatic certification of modular work stations
Every equipment manufacturer must provide a declaration of conformity confirming that the unit can manage all hazard scenarios and that the minimum safety requirements are met. In the future, confirming this conformity quickly after each conversion of a modular plant, will require a modular certification concept that checks the entire network of linked systems.
AI algorithms can automatically perform the certification process for the interfaces between two production stations. Using smart software, so called safety agents, will reduce the complexity of the interfaces between linked units. The safety agent checks various scenarios to determine, for example, whether there is a mechanical or a chemical risk. If the risk is negligible, a safety certificate is prepared and the production can continue – avoiding long downtimes in the truest sense of Plug & Produce.
Use Case: Integrated Flexible Transport System for Module Safety
A flexible transport system (FTS) is included in the safety concept of the SmartFactory-KL Industrie 4.0 production plant. In the event that the FTS moves into the zone of a production line, it is automatically assigned to that unit and, consequently, also to the associated emergency stop circuit. Similarly, instead of the transport system, another module component could also be flexibly exchanged and automatically certified by AI.
“The advantage of this solution is the significant reduction in downtime after a plant conversion, because the most expensive and time consuming decisions about plant safety are now performed by artificial intelligence. We demonstrate automatic certification at our exhibit stand,” said Prof. Dr. Detlef Zühlke, Chairman of the Board of SmartFactory-KL.
Use Case: Smart Vision Systems for Safety Checks
When a signal comes from the FTS that it has arrived at the docking station, the workpiece carrier moves forward on the conveyor belt of the Industrie 4.0 production plant at the SmartFactory-KL. However, at this point there is no official confirmation from the safety system that the signal actually came from the FTS and there may be a risk if the workpiece carrier moves. Eventually, the workpiece carrier could fall off the belt and disrupt the process in the long term.
A smart vision system uses a camera to check the interface between the docking station and the FTS, for example, looking for the correct orientation of the conveyor belts. The optical data is evaluated by agent systems. If the FTS is correctly positioned, the safety certificate is created and the process is released – the conveyor belt with the workpiece carrier starts to advance.
This use case is visualized using colored light installations. If the vision system has not performed a final risk check, a flashing light on the FTS is activated. After checking for safety risk and confirming the certificate, the FTS becomes part of the safety circuit of the respective production line and the flashing light changes to reflect the corresponding color of the line. Only then can the workpiece carrier approach the FTS.
The Industrie 4.0 demonstrator partners at SmartFactory-KL are: B&R Automation, Bosch Rexroth, EPLAN Software & Service, Festo, HARTING, Huawei, IBM, KIST Europe, METTLER TOLEDO, MiniTec, PHOENIX CONTACT, Pilz, proALPHA, TÜV SÜD, and Weidmüller.
About the Technologie-Initiative SmartFactory KL e.V.
The SmartFactory-KL technology initiative was established as a non-profit organization in 2005, bringing industry and research partners together in a network to jointly implement Industrie 4.0 projects for the factories of the future. SmartFactory-KL is a unique, manufacturer-independent demonstrator and research vehicle located at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Kaiserslautern. Promising innovative Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are evaluated and further developed in a realistic, industrial production environment. The technology initiative has already developed products and solutions as well as universal standards in the areas of Industrie 4.0 with the active participation of its members. Together with other regional competence suppliers, SmartFactory-KL was recognized by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and designated as Mittelstand 4.0 Competence Center (SME) Kaiserslautern.
Press contact:
Fabienne Bosle
PR Manager
Technologie-Initiative SmartFactory KL e.V.
Trippstadter Straße 122
67663 Kaiserslautern
Phone: +49 631 20575 4410
fabienne.bosle@smartfactory.de
