Posted to News on 7th May 2021, 09:14
New standard announced for twinning sensors with the Cloud
Real-time monitoring app manages routing and forwarding of live sensor data
SICK’s new LiveConnect web service will, it states, “be the standard for bringing live data from SICK sensors to their digital twins in the Cloud, supporting customer progress towards Industry 4.0 digitilisation”.
SICK LiveConnect manages the routing and forwarding of live sensor data, so that it can be integrated into online dashboards and software.
With SICK LiveConnect, is a real-time monitoring app, users will get real-time insights into their devices from the shopfloor right through to the enterprise level. As a result, processes can become more transparent and maintenance costs can be reduced.
The live operating data, says SICK, will help operators to monitor production efficiency in real time and improve their Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Highly secure data communication
Via the SICK LiveConnect Sensor App operating on an edge gateway, such as the SICK SIM1012 or the TDC-E, data output from the real device is routed to the Cloud. The company says customers will enjoy highly secure data communication via industry standard MQTT protocol over TLS encryption.
SICK LiveConnect will unlock a secure, standardised live data connection from each sensor to a customer’s online asset management environment in the SICK AssetHub. Using the SICK LiveConnect online module via a standard web browser, a digital twin can be visualised in the cloud and process data from the device will be integrated into online monitoring applications.
Important step on journey
“The roll-out of SICK LiveConnect is an important step in our journey to Industry 4.0 digital connectivity,” says Neil Sandhu, SICK’s UK product manager for Imaging, Measurement, Ranging and Systems. “It will be really easy to connect your sensor with LiveConnect on a standard web browser via the App; all you need is the material- and part numbers for your SICK device.
"They are easy to find on the device label, and if you have the SICK InstallBase Manager smartphone app, you can access device information via the 2D barcode.”
LiveConnect brings together SICK’s operational software, powered by SICK’s AppSpace, with its cloud environment, SICK IntegrationSpace. It marks a milestone for SICK in establishing solid foundations for its future digital services, because connection between sensor and cloud is the first step in managing and monitoring data to achieve optimum operational efficiency.
