The GREY.Box communicates in the 5G network via OPC UA, MQTT. (Image: RSConnect GmbH)

The German company RSConnect presents a new hardware for 5G applications in time for the upcoming Connected Mobile Machines & Mobility in Hannover: The GREY.Box industrial edge device.

At the upcoming CMM-Expo in Hannover, Germany, the new GREY.Box will be presented by the Osnabrück-based company RSConnect. “It is a high-performance, 5G-capable industrial edge device with many interfaces and communication options, but above all the possibility to apply AI solutions on the device” says Rainer Schmutte about his product, which was designed together with a partner. In addition to routers, this edge computer is thus one of the first 5G-capable products to be tailored for industrial use, says Schmutte.

RSConnect offers not only the pure hardware, but solutions to production-related AI applications, such as optimization of machine operation with benefits in the topics of energy consumption and maintenance costs, more efficient use of materials or tools, wear detection, failure prediction models and camera image interpretations.

 

Why does manufacturing need AI solutions?

  • Due to the significant increase in the shortage of skilled workers, AI helps to pool know-how.
  • Further efficiency potentials can be leveraged through detail optimization.
  • Predictive maintenance is AI-supported significantly more efficient than manual solutions.

“The foundation of all AI applications is data quality as well as the amount of test data collected. On Edge, foundational work can be implemented using various database options. We made sure to provide sufficient storage for exactly such purpose with up to 2TB” says Schmutte. The preparation, merging and labeling of the data is done, for example, with the CODESYS development environment, which is widely used in industry.

Applications in addition to AI solutions include the connection of energy meters, the networking of machines from the brownfield and a wide range of visualization options. According to the supplier, what makes the product particularly attractive is its ability to implement all applications on Edge via 5G in a campus network, making it one of the first products of its kind for use in industry, along with routers.

The edge computer, called GREY.Box, is a compact industrial housing, has fanless multi-core CPU modules, can be mounted in a control cabinet and is supplied with 24V DC voltage. The product supports communication via OPC UA, MQTT or REST either in LAN or wireless via 4G, 5G or WiFi. Furthermore, devices can be connected directly to the GREY.Box via CAN or RS485 (e.g. ModbusRTU).

For more information, please contact the supplier RSConnect GmbH.

Parts of this text were translated with www.DeepL.com