The Industry 4.0 Integration Lab inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) is an autonomous manufacturing work cell featuring several robots and machines communicating via network signals. This demonstration site is a self-contained digital ecosystem that showcases an end-to-end manufacturing environment and can be customized for specific scenarios.

The lab is ideal for manufacturers interested in optimizing processes, exploring automation in their own processes and becoming globally competitive.

Filled with equipment from a variety of different technology providers, the space provides integration opportunities to demonstrate and teach Industry 4.0 concepts, such as industrial Internet of Things process monitoring.

Connect with the CMA’s Industry 4.0 Integration Lab

The Industry 4.0 Integration Lab is housed inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

Industry 4.0 Capabilities

The Industry 4.0 Integration Lab provides a wide range of services to support manufacturers looking to optimize their processes. Customers and partners can benefit from the following:

• Industrial communication protocols development training
• Industrial networking support
• Networking architecture guidance
• Industrial Internet of Things process monitoring guidance
• Robotics and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) training
• AMR and systems integration guidance
• Machine integration support
• Manufacturing execution system implementation support

Developed strategically based on factors like ease of integration, user friendliness and lowest barrier to entry, the digital ecosystem features and demonstrates accessible options for small and mid-size manufacturers. Businesses who partner with the CMA’s Industry 4.0 Integration Lab can expect relevant, impactful and deployable ROI-driven results.

We move at the speed of manufacturing, helping our clients and partners realize competitive advantages that drive growth metrics such as cost, efficiency, quality, evolution, capacity and growth.

Machines Communicating and Collaborating

With no name yet, this robot has one job: tend operations of the CNC machines using its compound gripper.

An autonomous mobile robot (AMR), Ralph consists of a mobile robotic cart and a universal robotic arm with seven joints.

Rosie completes the final inspection of finished products before packaging and preparing them for shipment.

Alternative steps and workflows may exist depending on the application, but the basic process includes the following actions:

• Under orders from the MES, the tending robot will pick up and load a piece of raw material into the first CNC lathe machine. With the material firmly in place, the machine will cut a shape. The robot will then take the part out of the machine and place it on a table.
• Under a request from the tending robot, the autonomous mobile robot (Ralph) will retrieve the part and conduct pre-established inspections with engravers and scanners on the inspection island.
• After the inspections, Ralph will drive to the CNC milling machine. Ralph will be responsible for tending the machine, putting the part inside and telling the machine to begin the operation before leaving to complete another task.
• Once complete, Ralph will retrieve the part and take it to the coordinate measuring machine or back to the inspection table, depending on the predetermined workflow. Those that fail inspections or tests at either location would go onto a rejection conveyer – an event that would trigger a text or email notification to a human supervisor.
• If it passes all relevant tests, Ralph will bring the module to Rosie (another robot), who will complete a final inspection, package the part and set it on a conveyor belt.
• When Rosie says she has completed her task, Ralph will collect the packaged product and place it in the retrieval area.

Training Opportunities

Staff in the CMA and Industry 4.0 Integration Lab can conduct a variety of training for educators, students and industry professionals. Some topics include:

• Fanuc Robotics Training
• Universal Robotics Training
• Yaskawa Robotics Training
• Industrial Network Principles
• Specialized Allen Bradley PLC Training

We are looking for industry and technology partners for the CMA’s Industry 4.0 Integration Lab and the CMA as a whole.

Technology in the Industry 4.0 Integration Lab

The Industry 4.0 Integration Lab at the CMA features several accessible and globally adopted pieces of equipment:

• Haas ST-20Y
• Haas UMC-500 SS
• Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 CMM
• MIR AGV Autonomous Cart with UR10 Robot
• Fanuc M10iD/12 Robot
• Yaskawa SDA-5 Dual-Arm Robot
• Keyence MD-X2500 3-Axis Laser Marker
• Keyence Video Scanner
• Keyence IL-300 Height Scanner
• Keyence 20-Megapixel Camera
• Keyence Bar Code Scanner