Apps Ease Implementation of Industry 4.0 Essentials

The Automation Systems division of Liebherr has developed a range of applications that support Industry 4.0 initiatives. A single control system, LMS 4.0 (Liebherr Manufacturing System), enables users to choose individually configurable software packages which meet their requirements. 

The Part Tracking App (PTA) logs the workpiece data in a production cell before each workpiece is loaded into the system, thus promoting a reliable process. Users can adapt and configure the data structure with an Excel template. In this structure they can also define workpiece lists based on priorities. These lists can be filtered as desired and offer possibilities for quality inspection, for example.

With the Production Schedule App (PSA), users can determine workpiece flow and production orders. This app also includes production order management. With it, the operator can create production orders for loading unmachined parts, including part types, quantity and delivery date in the order. The system can then process these orders statically (according to sequence) or dynamically (according to delivery date).

The Production Monitoring App (PMA) handles operation and production monitoring. With it, all operating and production data of each station is recorded and can be evaluated accordingly. This way, system availabilities and downtimes can be determined and visualized for detection and optimization. 

The Predictive Planned Maintenance App (PPM) enables intelligent maintenance planning and can generate maintenance logs. The self-learning system registers the wear curves of the individual stations and creates intelligent maintenance planning in order to reduce and plan downtimes, the company says.

The apps work with large screens as well as mobile devices. All the apps are controlled with the Info Board App. This enables the user to display the operating states on the machine, cell, station or component, to call up workpiece counters, and to perform remote monitoring.