Mr. Hönle, what exactly is behind the new IoT-enabled platform?

Rainer Hönle: I would describe the platform as a 'missing link' in the range of digitalization solutions. This is because most platform solutions are more or less closed solutions that rarely include the so-called 'brown field', i.e. existing production facilities. With around 70 different interfaces and protocols, our platform offers a sound basis for integrating existing systems.

Our partner RST provides the 'Gamma V' middleware for the solution, while we supply the 'Accon-AGLink' communication library. As most production systems, particularly in Germany, are implemented with Siemens controllers, our communication library, which supports almost all S5 and S7 control systems, is probably the most important integration element of this platform strategy.

How do you go about implementing the platform solution?

Rainer Hönle: Our focus here is on the customer's requirement that the existing production control system must not be changed. With our solution, production does not even have to be interrupted.

The necessary changes are then only made within a digital twin, in which all additional sensors are displayed alongside the control information. All digital twins are synchronously networked with each other and then form an initial semantic data level on the store floor.

From here, process parameters are streamed into big data applications such as 'Elastic Search' via an open interface and visualized there using Kibana or corresponding criteria are determined using machine learning algorithms. Services - such as predictive maintenance - can also be set up very nicely at this level.

Whether the data is then forwarded via OPC UA, the IoT standard DDS or other formats depends on the respective architecture of the production plant. The Gamma-V platform knows how to combine the various technologies like no other system.

What typical applications can be implemented with the platform?

Rainer Hönle: The middleware platform is remotely comparable to a control platform as offered by some manufacturers. In contrast, the platform requires neither a programming tool nor specific hardware. Several applications can be derived from this. For example, it takes over control tasks on the store floor - as a digital twin or as a native control system for production processes. This combination is used in cable and antenna production, for example, but also in LED production, for example at Osram. Our solution is also used by machine manufacturers. For example, the companies Mahlo and Hefter Maschinenbau use this platform as the basic control system for their future machines. Another field of application is MIL, SIL and HIL test benches in development and production.

Combinations of the three platform examples presented are also frequently created.

How does your IoT solution stand out from other platforms such as Mindsphere?

Rainer Hönle: The strength of platforms such as Mindsphere lies in their coordinated overall solution. However, the 'big player' technologies lack the flexibility and diversity of an open middleware technology.

What are the topics that Delta Logic will be tackling in the future?

Rainer Hönle: We are planning to integrate further control system manufacturers in the near future. The main topic here is, of course, measurement data acquisition, ideally without modifying the existing PLC program or the existing PLC configuration.

Thanks to our cooperation with 3S-Smart Software Solutions, we have the option of accessing the controllers with a Codesys runtime system and recording the data. And the number of Codesys runtime systems sold is currently well over five million, which is quite a significant proportion.

Of course, communication and measurement data acquisition is not just about access to programmable logic controllers, but also - as this is increasingly in demand in the Industry 4.0 environment - access to machine tool controllers. We currently support almost the entire current Simatic and Sinumerik families. We would also like to integrate the missing Siemens controller types in the future. We have also received requests for support from other control and machine tool control manufacturers. We would like to develop suitable solutions here.

Delta Logic recently joined the 'Embedded4you' association. What do you hope to gain from this?

Rainer Hönle: Due to the large number of different companies with a wide range of core competencies, we also receive a large number of suggestions for the further development of our 'Accon-AGLink' communication library. Of course, we also hope that the top-class partners will support the control system manufacturers and that they may even be willing to cooperate with us. This will significantly simplify the implementation of further protocols. And finally, we hope that our membership will enable us to work on new and interesting key technologies.