ALLPCB
Background
In September 2022, Chinese authorities issued the "Guidelines for Building 5G Fully Connected Factories", encouraging tens of thousands of enterprises to build 5G fully connected factories, with targets to complete 1,000 classified and distinctive factories and to establish 100 benchmark factories. Favorable market conditions and policy support have prompted solution providers to lower the barriers for 5G deployment so more manufacturers can adopt 5G technologies.
Definition
A 5G fully connected factory uses 5G communication technology to interconnect production at line, workshop, and factory levels, forming an advanced factory where IT, OT, and industrial internet technologies are deeply integrated. Such factories make full use of data and enable efficient applications, and typically feature high degrees of automation, production efficiency, and intelligence.
Role of 5G Gateways and Industrial IoT
Using 5G industrial gateways and industrial IoT platforms, factories can achieve interconnection and networked communication among key equipment such as PLCs, instrumentation, sensors, CNC machines, and industrial robots. 5G's high throughput and low latency support real-time communication for device monitoring, remote control, timely alarms, and data analysis, enabling a range of intelligent factory applications.
Support for Digital Transformation
Combining 5G industrial gateways with industrial IoT platforms provides critical support for enterprise digital transformation. On one hand, it enables device data collection and real-time monitoring to support various smart applications. On the other hand, it facilitates centralized management and unified operations across the factory, helping establish a computing foundation and efficient empowerment for production.
Key Implementation Steps
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Device access and adaptation
To achieve full 5G connectivity, various factory devices must be connected and adapted. This includes protocol adaptation for PLCs, industrial robots, sensors, CNC machines, and other equipment, as well as confirming data types and sampling frequencies to meet 5G network communication requirements.
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Data and system integration
Integrate various data sources and systems, including SCADA/configuration software, MES, and ERP. Over a 5G network, different data and systems can exchange information in real time and at high speed, enabling comprehensive connectivity and coordinated operation across factory processes.
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Application development and innovation
5G connectivity provides higher bandwidth and lower latency, creating opportunities for additional applications. Platforms may include built-in applications such as remote monitoring, remote maintenance, and fault alarms, and they can support custom development to improve production efficiency and quality.
