Enterprise Asset Intelligence

While robotics continues to become more and more advanced, there are some processes that still seem best done manually. They’re too complex, traditional thinking goes. But, while that may still be true for some processes, KUKA Robotics and 3M have developed a way in which weld processing can now be automated. That’s thanks to the ready2_grind, a pre-configured solution to automate weld grinding and blending processes. “The applications are primarily grinding and blending of welds. The optimum welds would be button-corner weld, where customers want to remove the weld and achieve a certain finish prior to, perhaps, painting or any other post-process they may have,” said Scott Barnett (embed: contributor page), Application Engineering Manager - Robotic Abrasive Processing at 3M. The ready2_grind utilizes KUKA’s KR60 robot and controller and tooling from 3M, including the Active Compliant Tool. It’s a partnership that can help customers as manual grinders become more difficult to hire and keep on. “The KR60 has an ideal reach at about 2.5 meters to cover most grinding applications, like weld grinding and casting grinding,” said Pat Duda, Senior Application Engineer for KUKA Robotics. “The mechanics are extremely rigid, and the path and velocity performance are really stable, also. That produces really consistent results.” With 3M tooling, like the 3M Active Compliant Tool, on the end of the KUKA robotic arm providing the abrasive section of the tool, the ready2_grind is a perfect example of two innovative companies teaming up and finding a way to integrate effectively.

There are few experiences more alarming than being a victim of theft or burglary. Whether it’s your home, your car or your business, the violation of your valuables leaves behind an anxious feeling that is hard to shake. For this reason, investing in security is a top priority for many Americans. But how effective are modern security systems? Scott Hightower, President of Verified Security, said security systems are more powerful than ever before thanks to the fast, interconnected nature of IoT (Internet of Things). High-speed internet has allowed security systems to evolve in a revolutionary way, making lives easier, safer and more secure. Thing Tech explores just how security is changing in this episode, diving deep into use cases that help save businesses time and money. Security systems used to be the analog stuff of the electronics industry, Hightower said, but with broadband-enabled services and interconnected networks, security systems have evolved to include real-time motion sensors, remote operated keypads and mobile cam viewing. Whether in a church, school or facility warehouse, security managers are feeling the difference in how IoT has made their job more efficient, more effective and more accurate. With 4G, and 5G on the rise, Hightower said security systems are only becoming more valuable. With faster real-time tracking, businesses can monitor not only the goings-on of their facility, but also the location of valuable assets like tools and company cars. Hightower said one thing remains the same about security—time is money. With IoT at the root of advanced security systems, monitoring has become faster, more accurate and easier for the end-user, raising the bar for everyone. The security systems of today monitor incidents before they happen and stopping theft in its tracks.

“Data” is the word on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Arguably more valuable than oil, data has the prodigious power to change business, manufacturing and shipping in incredible ways. No one knows this more than Jim Lester, CEO of ThingTech. Lester joined MarketScale to discuss the state of the Internet of Things (IoT) and how businesses can benefit from data collection and sharing. ThingTech’s fleet management system offers a holistic view of a fleet thanks to widespread data collection. When pulling usage data from different car manufacturers, for example, ThingTech can normalize the differences and offer real, usable data to clients. Lester said that ThingTech "[does] the heavy lifting for them." But IoT data collection isn’t used solely for fleet management. As technology prices go down, specialty logistics become more feasible. When shipping climate-controlled products, for example, ThingTech can monitor the product throughout shipment, ensuring its safe arrival. Lower IoT costs mean being able to monitor custom shipments both big and small. It is hard to talk about IoT without talking about 5G. Lester said the reality of 5G is that it will first reach urban areas and, until 5G is more widespread, 4G is perfectly fine for monitoring trucking as it travels through rural areas. So, what is the future of IoT? Jim outlined the three pillars of IoT adoption - connectivity, costs, and device durability. As these three trends materialize, moving from static asset management to dynamic asset management will become the norm.

One of the largest sources of financial inefficiency for any construction company are expenditures that can be prevented by consistent asset tracking. On this episode of ThingTech’s Enterprise Asset Intelligence podcast, the CEO of yardz, Jason Perez, sat down with Sean Heath and they discussed the simple way to solve this complex issue. The most common mistake happens for both owned assets and rented equipment according to Perez. “People are renting a lot of stuff that they don’t even need to rent, because they don’t even know where their own stuff is,” he said. “That was kind of an interesting segue way of rentals to owned and, really, it’s all about getting the tools regardless of whether you own them or not.” It may seem that a highly complex solution would be required, but that’s not necessarily the case. “Our industry is simple. Really simple. The more complex you make it, the less people connect to your solution,” Perez said. The range of heavy construction project benefits are obvious, but other job sites can leverage the new technology, as well. “It’s been a big deal for these roofing contractors to be able to go in and go: ‘Hey. Every project we go out, I’m a click of a button away from renting a reach lift, a port-a-potty, and a dumpster. And it takes me about 15 seconds of effort,“ Perez explained. Misplaced or forgotten equipment is lost revenue that Perez sees on a consistent basis. “I would say we walk in regularly, 8 months, 6 months, 3 months, you know, it’s months that people are leaving pieces of equipment and we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars that they’re leaving on the table that they could be putting back to the bottom line," he said.

The Internet of Things can seem as nebulous as the individual pieces of data that embody it, but Atlanta-based ThingTech is looking to highlight interconnected technologies of the modern business world as it kicks off this inaugural episode of the Enterprise Asset Intelligence Podcast. Host Daniel Litwin sat down with Tim Quinn, CEO and co-founder of ThingTech to discuss ways that business owners can roll out practical, pragmatic IoT solutions for business big and small. What's helpful to remember about introducing IoT within a business is that it's often a journey, not a destination, like many other emerging technology rollouts. "This is about how to start that digital transformation journey," Quinn said. In his 25 years in the industry, Quinn has seen IoT vastly impact the efficiency of companies, regardless of the industry. "Whether it's IT or IoT, it still puts out ROI," he said, pointing to a 46 percent improvement in asset utilization and reliability. But the challenge comes with analyzing data from multiple systems, he said. "Data is only data until it's analyzed or processed," Quinn said. "So capturing the data is one thing, transforming that into action is another." In future episodes of the podcast, Quinn will discuss ways that actionable data solves real-world operational problems, including deep vertical business application around asset management, maintenance, inspection, and capital planning. "I think we'll show that IoT doesn't have to be overly complex and engineered," he said. "It can be streamlined to be less scary."