Pilz is a new member of the research platform SmartFactory KL – Working together for standards with Industry 4.0

Ostfildern, 6 feb. 2015 - Pilz is a new member of the demonstration and research platform SmartFactory KL. As such, the complete safe automation supplier will be actively involved in formulating unified standards for Industry 4.0. The first joint project is to implement a storage module for the smart factory demonstrator at the Hannover Messe 2015.

"If the requirements from the world of automation and the world of IT are taken into account, the result will be practical solutions that are acceptable to users, in the spirit of Industry 4.0. The smart factory is a suitable platform for promoting this important work", says Renate Pilz, Chair of the Board of Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, emphasising the significance of the smart factory.

The goal of the initiative is to test innovative factory systems, in which the vision of Industry 4.0 becomes a reality. As a full member, Pilz will actively participate towards all aspects of the goal of this initiative and pursue the findings from joint work on the development platform to use for its own offering.

"We are delighted to welcome Pilz as a member. In particular, as one of the partners in the demonstration plant at the Hannover Messe, Pilz contributes one of the primary components with its competence in the field of safe automation". That's the view of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Detlef Zühlke, Initiator and Chairman of the Executive Board of Smart FactoryKL.

Safety and modularisation are important issues
Firstly, with its experience from the field of machinery safety, Pilz will advocate standardisation and a common approach on the issue of safety with its two facets of safety (machinery safety) and security (IT security).
Secondly Pilz is involved with the issue of modularisation. Automation systems such as PSS 4000 from Pilz, which can distribute control functions, are the foundation.

"The construction of plants in accordance with the mechatronic approach enables complete modularisation in the form of machine elements. Functions can be standardised and re-used across a range of modules. The smart factory is an excellent place to test such automation concepts", says Renate Pilz.

Pilz module for demonstrator at the Hannover Messe 2015
At the Hannover Messe 2015, SmartFactory KL is exhibiting a modular, cross-manufacturer production plant, in which individual modules made by a range of manufacturers with various control architectures work together seamlessly (Hall 8, Stand D20).
Pilz expands this Smart Factory demonstrator plant with an intelligent, automated storage module.