Augmenting existing manufacturing equipment with a digital connection to a smart environment

Project aim

To provide a system that will non-intrusively retrofit manufacturing equipment, so that it can be integrated with a digital connection to the Industry 4.0 infrastructure, capable of controlling a smart production environment.

Project background

This research project aims to provide cost-effective hardware and a methodology to implement a connection for legacy manufacturing machines so that Industry 4.0 techniques can be utilised without the need to replace working equipment. The design concept is to enable remote assistance to help the operator with the production and maintenance of the equipment, as well as provide technical support for errors and issues that arise. This will benefit the research and development of smart technologies by reducing the barriers to accessing capable equipment. With sufficient development, this could provide a marketable product for the industry to upgrade legacy equipment and production facilities to Industry 4.0 standards.