Mr. Merget, you are now presenting the first compact PLC from Turck. How can the device be categorized?
Merget: The TBEN-L-PLC is a Codesys 3 controller in a robust block I/O module. It can be used as a compact controller for small to medium-sized stand-alone machines, but also for individual networked modules of large complex machines. Thanks to the high protection classes IP67 and IP69K, the PLC can be mounted directly on the machine, which means that machine concepts without control cabinets can finally be realized, where previously a control cabinet was still required, at least for the controller. Thanks to the large number of interfaces and the supported master and slave protocols, additional I/O modules can be connected to the compact PLC. The device can also work with a higher-level main controller to network individual machine modules with each other.

However, the device should be able to do even more in the future - keyword IoT!
Merget: That's right, in addition to the diverse communication interfaces and other functions such as the integrated web server and the wide range of diagnostic options that the PLC already offers, we are presenting an initial prototype of a cloud connection here at the trade fair - although it is still in the study stage at the moment.
Data can be transferred directly from the control system to a cloud, where it can not only be displayed clearly, but also saved and accessed from any location. Of course, data can also be transmitted to the PLC from outside via the cloud in order to be able to adjust production parameters flexibly and quickly, for example. This makes it possible to implement IoT topics that pave the way for Industry 4.0, such as predictive maintenance and remote maintenance, which will become increasingly important in the future.
Data that may not have been collected in the past can not only be stored in the cloud, but also evaluated and used for efficiency analyses, for example. Completely new business models are also conceivable - for example, a machine manufacturer billing its customers based on the productivity and output of the machine instead of machine sales. The potential of possibilities offered by a cloud connection is almost limitless, not least due to the ever-increasing pace of digitalization. As part of the study and in discussions with our customers and interested parties, we are currently preparing for the digital future, in which a cloud solution can be an important component.

What will the IoT solution look like for the user?
Merget: As the cloud connection shown here is a study, its outcome is naturally not yet certain. Our customers, with whom we are in close contact, will have a major influence on the outcome. What we can say for sure, however, is that we want to achieve a cloud solution that is directly integrated into the Codesys 3 programming environment of our controller. By simply adding variables to a symbol table that is synchronized with the cloud, the cloud connection is very easy for the programmer to implement directly in their PLC project without any additional tools.

How complex is the implementation and provision of such an IoT solution for Turck? And when can a device ready for series production be expected?
Merget: In contrast to the development of a hardware product, which is usually limited to hardware and firmware, several other factors are relevant for the cloud solution. A very important point here is a well thought-out IT security concept to effectively protect the machine network from external attacks. In addition to a business model, the corresponding infrastructure must also be created, which includes the necessary hardware in data centers as well as the billing mechanisms. We are currently planning the release for the fourth quarter of 2017.