Collaboration with Cisco Delivers Highly-Secure Operations Monitoring and Analytics
In an industry-shaping collaboration, Mazak Corp., together with Cisco and M2M solutions provider MEMEX, Inc., has developed a new launch platform it claims will provide manufacturers with an easy and secure entrance into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Called SmartBox, this "industry first" technology seems to represent a huge leap in digital integration across manufacturing, capturing real-time manufacturing data to improve overall productivity and responsiveness to customer/market changes.
Using MTConnect technology as the foundation, SmartBox connectivity of machines and devices allows for enhanced monitoring and analytical capabilities including advanced cyber security protection.
The SmartBox is the latest addition to Mazak's dynamic iSMART Factory concept and one that takes advantage of Cisco's Connected Machines solution to provide insights into machine operations.
It allows advanced manufacturing cells and systems, along with full digital integration, to achieve free-flow data sharing, i.e., process control and operation/equipment monitoring.
The iSMART concept also incorporates Mazak's SMOOTH Technology – a complete process-performance technology platform that includes the various levels of Mazak's new Mazatrol Smooth CNC with advanced machine hardware and servo systems – working in tandem with the MTConnect standard connectivity protocol.
Mazak also developed SmartBox to work with any machine regardless of make, model or age and will offer it in various configurations/kits based on the scenarios and challenges in which the units will be used.
The device physically mounts to the side of machines without having to integrate into a machine's electrical cabinet. With several standard input/output connecting ports, SmartBox lets users quickly and easily connect any standard off-the-shelf sensors to the system for machine data gathering and condition monitoring.
One SmartBox may service several machine tools along with other associated manufacturing equipment, depending on the application.
At the heart of the SmartBox is Cisco's Connected Machines solution, based on the IoT System, designed specifically for industrial environments and equipped with an MTConnect software agent. Using a fog computing model, the MT Connect software runs directly on the ruggedized Cisco Industrial Ethernet (IE) 4000 switch – providing real time visibility and insights into data right on the factory floor.
The Memex software installed in Mazak's own factory allows for monitoring analytics of machines, test stands and other equipment within the plant.
The Cisco hardware is designed to help prevent any issues with unauthorized access from both directions – to or from the machines and equipment within a network. SmartBox satisfies the highly critical security concerns of IT departments when connecting legacy equipment to a plant's main network for the purpose of gathering manufacturing data via the MTConnect protocol.
"With the development of SmartBox, Mazak continues to drive toward its iSMART Factory concept and connecting today's shops to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to achieve levels of efficiency and productivity never before realized," wrote Brian Papke, President of Mazak Corp. in a release.
"And while our concept centers around open connectivity and the Internet, we at Mazak believe it is our moral obligation to also provide customers the highest level of security possible with SmartBox. As with all the technology we develop, Mazak has first implemented SmartBox into our own operations before expecting customers to wholeheartedly embrace the system."
The underlying Cisco networking platform helps ensure that IT technicians will be familiar with SmartBox's operation and can use it to quickly and easily control and manage network security.
Also, the hardware allows manufacturers to enable secure machine communications through secure access and identity policy mechanisms. Third parties, such as equipment suppliers, can then log on to a company's network and access only those machines equipped with a Mazak SmartBox.
"This is great example of how Cisco works with our ecosystem of partners to help customers capture the value of digitization,"wrote Tony Shakib, Vice President, Vertical Solutions, at Cisco. "Cisco's scalable and secure IoT platform makes it possible for partners like Mazak and MEMEX to quickly launch new IoT offerings that provide high-value customer experiences and business outcomes. We're helping our OEM partners transform their business from selling products to selling industrial services."
Called SmartBox, this "industry first" technology seems to represent a huge leap in digital integration across manufacturing, capturing real-time manufacturing data to improve overall productivity and responsiveness to customer/market changes.
Using MTConnect technology as the foundation, SmartBox connectivity of machines and devices allows for enhanced monitoring and analytical capabilities including advanced cyber security protection.
The SmartBox is the latest addition to Mazak's dynamic iSMART Factory concept and one that takes advantage of Cisco's Connected Machines solution to provide insights into machine operations.
It allows advanced manufacturing cells and systems, along with full digital integration, to achieve free-flow data sharing, i.e., process control and operation/equipment monitoring.
The iSMART concept also incorporates Mazak's SMOOTH Technology – a complete process-performance technology platform that includes the various levels of Mazak's new Mazatrol Smooth CNC with advanced machine hardware and servo systems – working in tandem with the MTConnect standard connectivity protocol.
Mazak also developed SmartBox to work with any machine regardless of make, model or age and will offer it in various configurations/kits based on the scenarios and challenges in which the units will be used.
The device physically mounts to the side of machines without having to integrate into a machine's electrical cabinet. With several standard input/output connecting ports, SmartBox lets users quickly and easily connect any standard off-the-shelf sensors to the system for machine data gathering and condition monitoring.
One SmartBox may service several machine tools along with other associated manufacturing equipment, depending on the application.
At the heart of the SmartBox is Cisco's Connected Machines solution, based on the IoT System, designed specifically for industrial environments and equipped with an MTConnect software agent. Using a fog computing model, the MT Connect software runs directly on the ruggedized Cisco Industrial Ethernet (IE) 4000 switch – providing real time visibility and insights into data right on the factory floor.
The Memex software installed in Mazak's own factory allows for monitoring analytics of machines, test stands and other equipment within the plant.
The Cisco hardware is designed to help prevent any issues with unauthorized access from both directions – to or from the machines and equipment within a network. SmartBox satisfies the highly critical security concerns of IT departments when connecting legacy equipment to a plant's main network for the purpose of gathering manufacturing data via the MTConnect protocol.
"With the development of SmartBox, Mazak continues to drive toward its iSMART Factory concept and connecting today's shops to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to achieve levels of efficiency and productivity never before realized," wrote Brian Papke, President of Mazak Corp. in a release.
"And while our concept centers around open connectivity and the Internet, we at Mazak believe it is our moral obligation to also provide customers the highest level of security possible with SmartBox. As with all the technology we develop, Mazak has first implemented SmartBox into our own operations before expecting customers to wholeheartedly embrace the system."
The underlying Cisco networking platform helps ensure that IT technicians will be familiar with SmartBox's operation and can use it to quickly and easily control and manage network security.
Also, the hardware allows manufacturers to enable secure machine communications through secure access and identity policy mechanisms. Third parties, such as equipment suppliers, can then log on to a company's network and access only those machines equipped with a Mazak SmartBox.
"This is great example of how Cisco works with our ecosystem of partners to help customers capture the value of digitization,"wrote Tony Shakib, Vice President, Vertical Solutions, at Cisco. "Cisco's scalable and secure IoT platform makes it possible for partners like Mazak and MEMEX to quickly launch new IoT offerings that provide high-value customer experiences and business outcomes. We're helping our OEM partners transform their business from selling products to selling industrial services."