To make manufacturing as smart as driverless, Ericsson launches 5G dedicated network for production environments

The wireless transmission rate of 5G is as high as 10 Gbits per second, and the delay is less than 1 millisecond. 5G brings high-density and massive data instant transmission.3D printingThe release of potential will be huge and beyond imagination. Just like the huge changes 5G has brought to unmanned driving, without 5G, unmanned vehicles cannot achieve delay-free decision-making, that is, without 5G, unmanned driving cannot be developed in a true sense.Similarly, for3D printingIn other words, the massive amount of data generated in the processing process also requires instant and seamless transmission and online analysis like driverless cars to achieve precise control of the processing process.

At the beginning of 2020, Fraunhofer IPT Fraunhofer Institute of Production Technology and Swedish mobile network provider Ericsson jointly developed the concept of “European 5G Industrial Park”, which is actually the first comprehensive 5G research network in the Aachen campus. Test the application of new mobile network technology in production control and logistics. At present, this project has made positive progress. Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom have launched a 5G dedicated network for the production environment in Aachen on April 9, 2020.

Picture: European 5G Industrial Park

The new era of 5G in the future

5G can efficiently meet the new requirements for wireless communication in machines, servers, and smart sensor networks: With the help of new mobile radio standards, large amounts of data can be transmitted between sensors and the cloud and large systems at high speed and with low latency to ensure field level Instant communication, including online monitoring, online adaptive adjustment, and control production applications. On April 9, 2020, Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson launched the first 5G independent private network in the Aachen and Fraunhofer campuses of the Aachen University of Technology (RWTH).Partners will work with other Central Interconnect Industry (CCI) members to develop new solutions for the factories of the future

According to Deutsche Telekom, 5G networks are particularly suitable for industrial applications with demanding processing performance. To build a complete solution around 5G private networks, it is vital to have a test site through the ecosystem partners of the European 5G industrial park. With the cooperation, product manufacturers and equipment manufacturers can test their key applications on these test grounds to ensure their success.

Picture: European 5G Industrial Park-RWTH Aachen University

This end-to-end 5G private network system is based on Ericsson’s 5G independent technology operating in the Deutsche Telekom 5G spectrum. It is the world’s first leader to run 5G new radio systems completely wirelessly in a production environment. Ericsson, as a provider of mobile infrastructure, is leading the standardization of 5G and is one of the few companies that provide 5G systems in the mobile market and promote them in many countries. In the Aachen European 5G Industrial Park, project partners focus on different application scenarios in seven sub-projects-including 5G sensors for monitoring and controlling highly complex manufacturing processes, mobile robots, logistics and multi-site production chains, distributed manufacturing control, and regional Blockchain, edge cloud, etc.

Last year, Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson have established a two-chip campus network based on LTE. The cooperation of members of the Central Interconnect Industry (CCI) focuses on identifying and developing new solutions and applications that have the potential to increase productivity in an industrial environment. Usually the solution prototype is jointly tested and implemented in the CCI campus environment until it can be put into production. For this reason, by simulating the real production environment, the new solution can be effectively transferred to the real production operation. The 5G independent private network is completely independent of the public network and can provide private connections in the park. The network server, independent core and radio system are all located in the campus, so the data in the private network never leaves the campus. In the 5G standard, these applications are called uRLLC applications, and the abbreviation stands for “ultra-reliable and low-latency communication.” These services require the shortest response time and must never fail. The 5GSensPRO project of the Fraunhofer IPT Fraunhofer Institute of Production Technology is a strong support for the “European 5G Industrial Park”. The 5GSensPRO project focuses on the interaction of six modules:

-Smart sensor hardware for data preprocessing and radio transmission via 5G
-Software for sensor control and evaluation of recorded data
-Mobile-based tracking function for identifying components and automatically assigning appropriate processing and logistics data
-A unified communication protocol for data transmission and coupling of sensors and other components to quickly and easily expand the entire system
-Visual interface for smart devices and other terminal devices
-Smart sensor cloud as the infrastructure for data processing, analysis and transmission to other systems

Picture: European 5G Industrial Park-Fraunhofer IPT indoor GF processing equipment

The new 5G mobile radio standard ensures wireless communication between sensor systems and base stations and devices. The data acquired by the sensors are stored and aggregated in the cloud system. In the cloud system, the digital twin has gained room for evolution. It can not only optimize the processing technology of the equipment, but also use the tracking function and the ability to identify current components to clearly allocate all Processing and logistics tasks. 5G wireless communication makes the 5GSensPRO system of the Fraunhofer IPT Fraunhofer Institute of Production Technology can be used in any manufacturing strategy, because the relative movement between components and machines is very complex, which is a typical feature of modern intelligent manufacturing and innovative products. The data rate and low latency of 5G technology provide new possibilities for real-time control of highly dynamic processes, and its processing speed can meet the efficiency requirements of modern production plants.

The 5GSensPRO system of the Fraunhofer IPT Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology provides a control method that adapts to changing operating conditions by including historical data in the analysis and paves the way for the equipment’s long-term self-optimization capabilities . Combined with cloud-based digital twin technology, not only can the production results be predicted, but also maintenance requirements and failure risks can be predicted more reliably than before.3D printingIn September 2015, the groundbreaking ceremony of ACAM Aachen Additive Manufacturing Center Co., Ltd. was held in Aachen, which is based on members of the Fraunhofer IPT Institute of Production Technology, Fraunhofer ILT Laser Technology Institute, Aachen University of Technology and other industrial research fields. Cooperation.

Video: ACAM: Navigating to explore the complex potential of additive manufacturing

ACAM is committed to providing one-stop additive manufacturing expertise for manufacturing companies. Since its establishment, it has accumulated expertise in different advanced scientific research fields. It also provides joint R&D, consulting, professional technical training and education services, software and system engineering, and customization Services to help companies cope with the challenges in the application of additive manufacturing technology. With the construction of the European 5G industrial park in Aachen, the new 5G network covers an area of ​​one square kilometer of the Aachen University of Technology, ACAM, and Fraunhofer Aachen Research Park. In the computer room participating in the project cooperation, there are nearly 7000 square meters indoors, which are installed representing laser manufacturing, machining,3D printingManufacturing technology in other fields.

Aachen is rewriting the history of industry, and the Fraunhofer IPT Institute for Industrial Production Technology through the European 5G Industrial Park is creating a unique global ecosystem to develop and apply 5G technology in the Industry 4.0 environment.

(Editor in charge: admin)