Balluff at Bosch Connected World 2020

From data provider to IIoT enabler

In 2020, sensor and automation specialist Balluff will be represented as an exhibitor at Bosch Connected World for the first time.

Berlin / Neuhausen a. d. F. – The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) begins with the sensor. Balluff showed this at Bosch Connected World and at the associated Hackathon Bosch Connected Experience during the past three years. Without the data provided by the sensors, no optimized and automated production within the IIoT is possible. Since 2017, Balluff has been playing a supportive role as "Hack Enabler", providing experience and products during the Hackathon, which takes place during Bosch Connected World. Now in this fourth year, the family-owned company will be represented with their own booth for the first time on February 19 and 20. "As an exhibitor we will be showing how data can be generated and transported into the IIoT world and what advantages we create for our customers in this way," explains Philipp Echteler, responsible, among other things, for the portfolio in the Digitalization and IIoT department at Balluff.

IO-Link in showcase

Balluff is bringing two exhibit elements from headquarters in Neuhausen to Berlin: an IO-Link exhibit and a service data cube. With the IO-Link exhibit, Balluff demonstrates the advantages of IO-Link for dynamic, flexible manufacturing concepts. This means that users can easily swap the positions of individual sensors without additional effort via IO-Link using inductive coupling systems. The service data cube is divided into two elements: IO-Link components, the data generators, and a screen which displays two dashboards on which the component data is visualized and can be processed. This data includes process data evaluations which are relevant to control of the systems. For example, one sensor detects an approaching component and conveys this information to the controller. There, the information is processed and the signal for opening or closing corresponding actuators is issued. In addition, the dashboards represent service data, which is important for system performance, for example, the strength of a sensor signal or how often and long a sensor has been operated.

IoT you can touch

The dashboard allows effective visualization of simple application examples, including adjustment of a mirror using an optical sensor. A sensor measures how much light it is getting reflected back from the mirror. This allows the user to determine whether the mirror is correctly adjusted or possibly has become dirty. Therefore, the overall aim is to maintain machines according to need. Exhibition visitors can also become active participants at the Balluff booth and plug the sensors in or out, change distances and then exchange information with the Balluff expert.

Balluff accompanies the Hackathon

Participants in the Bosch Connected Experience, the Hackathon, have 30 hours to overcome various challenges together. The Balluff experts contribute to the Hackathon with their experience and by providing products, such as the IO-Link master and the IO-Link sensors. The advantages: ease of installation, a large variety of sensors using different function principles, and great reliability thanks to errorless data transmission. But Balluff’s support is not limited to its products. Together with two other colleagues, Echteler will be standing by in word and deed as a so-called Hack Coach. In just two days, the resulting combination of products from Balluff and the development skills of the participants led to innovative new applications for predictive maintenance, condition monitoring and data analysis. "It was really exciting to see what more than 700 hackers could accomplish in such a short time and how much fun they had testing their capabilities and developing new solutions," summarizes Hack Coach Echteler.

About Balluff

Founded in 1921 in Neuhausen a.d.F., Balluff employs 4000 people worldwide and represents innovative technology, quality and cross-industry experience in industrial automation. As the leading sensor and automation specialist, the family-owned company in its fourth generation offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality sensor, identification, network and software solutions. In 2018, Balluff Group reported a turnover of around 488 million Euro. In addition to the main headquarters in Neuhausen a. d. F., Balluff has sales, production and development locations around the world and can boast 38 wholly owned subsidiaries and other representatives in 68 countries. This guarantees that customers have rapid worldwide availability of products and are provided with high-quality advice and service directly on site.