Manufacturing and factory floors are not the simple entities they used to be. Basic assembly lines with an on/off switch controlled by the shop foreman or line worker are not necessarily gone. The assembly and production lines are there, but instead of the worker or foreman, they’re controlled by the machines of production. Via embedded systems and software, machines are communicating with each other to keep products flowing and in synchronization with all the diverse tasks involved in a production run. Industry 4.0 is here, to stay.
Simply described, Industry 4.0 is the use of automation and the exchange of data between machines on the factory floor. Complexly amplified, Industry 4.0 embraces the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, edge computing, embedded systems, and software. Marrying the analog, digital, and mechanical domains can lead to much innovation, but along with it comes a buttload of conundrums.
For example, each application or task can be solved with any one of a plethora of solutions, but perhaps only one or two will work seamlessly and efficiently. The options are endless and daunting if you don’t have a yardstick to measure their ability to produce the desired results. Where does one begin?
One starting point would be to get on top of some of the highly functional standards for machine to machine (M2M) communication. At Sensors Midwest 2018, you can get a start on Tuesday, October 16 by attending the educational session titled “IPC-CFX Standards Update for Industry 4.0” that runs from 11:10 am to 12:00 pm in Theater 2.
David Bergman, Vice President of Standards & Training at IPC, will bring you up to speed on the latest standards forming the foundation and backbone of Industry 4.0 applications. David will demonstrate how new standards are simplifying M2M communications and factory processes.
IPC-CFX is an electronics-manufacturing-industry-developed standard that provides a foundation and backbone for Industry 4.0 Applications. This protocol simplifies and standardizes M2M communication while also facilitating machine to business/business to machine solutions. IPC-CFX can simply be described as a standard providing a purpose, working components, and benefits with several applications and sustainability.
IPC is a global industry association developing standards in support of electronics manufacturing. It is nearing completion of a two-year effort evaluating the needs of the industry for a new standard for electronics manufacturing factory communication. The IPC format, named Connected Factory eXchange or CFX, is expected to be released in version 1.0 in October 2018. This session also gives background on the development of this protocol, cooperative efforts with other open industry standards, and future plans.
David W. Bergman is Vice President of Standards and Training for IPC, the Association Connecting Electronics Industries. He has worked at IPC for more than 38 years of which more than 30 were spent leading the staff team responsible for IPC standardization efforts, education, and certification programs.
David is also responsible for joint activities with related sister organizations and was selected to serve 10 years as Secretary General of the World Electronic Circuit Council. In recognition of his efforts to identify alternatives to CFCs for defluxing printed wiring board assemblies, he was awarded the U.S. EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award as well as EPA’s "Best of the Best" Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. He is also a recipient of Soldertec Global’s Lead Free Solder Award.
Additionally, in 2018 David received the American National Standards Institute Astin-Polk International Standards Medal for distinguished service in promoting trade and understanding among nations.
Okay, now you’re eager and ready to learn more. So, get ready to do that very simple two-step dance:
- Register for Sensors Midwest 2018.
- Attend the “IPC-CFX Standards Update for Industry 4.0” session, Tuesday October 16, 2018, 11:10 am to 12:00 pm in Theater 2
Also, checkout the conference schedule for related sessions and the exhibitor lineup for presentations of the latest sensors and sensor-related products plus a plethora of other technologies.
