Manual data collection

MES dialogs in the shop floor must be clearly structured and easy to use in order to promote motivation and acceptance of the operator. MPDV offers the right dialogs for every task, as they can be configured individually. Devices for industrial use with touch screen technology are the basis to operate efficiently.

Already during collection HYDRA checks the correctness of the entered data and points out false entries to the operator. Online plausibility checks guarantee a high data quality.

Production may not be impeded or even interrupted by the failure of IT systems. Off-line capability guarantees that data are still collected during breakdowns. The data is buffered by suitable mechanisms to prevent data loss.

Interfaces to machines and equipment

The seamless integration into the production environment is crucial for the efficiency, acceptance and ergonomics of MES systems. Various machines, systems, scales and other peripheral appliances are set up to automatically collect, and in some cases store, process and shop floor data.

With the "Shop Floor Integration" portfolio, MPDV offers various options to connect machines to automatically transfer process, machine- and quality data from machines, plants, scales or other peripheral devices.

• Machine interfaces to collect piece numbers, machine cycles, operation and status signals as well as analog process values
• Counter interfaces to collect energy and power consumption
• Data interfaces are directly communicating with controls in NC machines, processing centers, packing lines, measuring machines, analyzing devices or injection molding machines. They not only transfer data but also NC programs or set parameter for PLCs.
• Function modules to integrate industrial communication systems like Profibus, Euromap, OPC, XML or web services
• Universal Machine Connectivity with UMCM (Universal Machine Connectivity for MES) to connect most machines to an MES without great effort by means of "Plug & Work"
• Integration services to communicate with data collection systems from different providers or existing isolated solutions

MPDV offers a broad range of products for shop floor integration including software applications and hardware components.

HYDRA Shop Floor Client (AIP)

The HYDRA Shop Floor Client AIP (Acquisition and Information Panel) provides numerous and configurable operator dialogs for standard posting procedures. These include order postings, entry of malfunctions and downtimes, personnel time recording, recording of measured values in the context of the operator's self-check and posting of material consumption, lot and batch data. Supporting a paperless production, information regarding orders, inspections etc. can be viewed by the operator via dialogs.

Shop Floor Connectivity Suite (SFCS)

With the Shop Floor Connectivity Suite you can connect machines in no time at all. An intuitive wizard guides you during machine connection in just a few steps. Thanks to simple drag and drop functions, the recorded data is moved exactly where it is needed and further processed. In addition to the Process Communication Controller (PCC), which takes over the actual collection and transmission, the SFCS also contains numerous prefabricated driver components (e. g. OPC-UA, Euromap,) as well as a development kit to create new driver components.

Edge Computing Suite (EdgeCS)

The Edge Computing Suite is your entry to the world of Big Data and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This is the way to master mass data. EdgeCS also makes collected data available for both online visualization and further processing in other applications (e. g. HYDRA Process Data). The use of the latest technologies such as OPC-UA, MQTT and noSQL ensures that data is efficiently recorded and stored for further processing.

System Connectivity Suite (SCS)

The System Connectivity Suite serves as a universal service interface (API) and is therefore an interface to IT systems of all kinds, both in the shop floor and in the context of enterprise integration. Certain applications can be controlled via external systems and supplied with data by calling defined services. For example, the integration of production (MES HYDRA) and intra logistics (material or transport management) or ERP can be accomplished. Connecting other IT systems can be implemented in the same way. 

Shop floor terminals

Operators, maintenance personnel or inspectors can manually enter data via touch screen terminals suitable for industrial use. Data is then forwarded online to the respective system. For this purpose, MPDV recommends or offers customary industrial PCs, which must primarily match the prevailing conditions in the shop floor (e. g. resistance to dust, oil or splash water).

Interface module IIoT Connector 

Any digital and analog signal can be acquired in a simple and inexpensive way with the IIoT Connector interface module. In addition, IIoT Connector  offers the option to output digital signals. For example to control a signal lamp or to indicate a necessary interruption of the process to a connected machine controller. This also allows older machines to be connected to an MES, for example by means of an operating signal. The integration of manual workstations is also possible using IIoT Connector. For example, for recording quantities by operating a simple foot switch. IIoT Connector is also capable of automatically recording energy data and process values via appropriate accessories.