Page 11 - Böllhoff Group annual report 2017

Innovation and investment

Wireless data storage

MATCHSTICK SIZE

IS SUFFICIENT

Industry 4.0 is also being implemented in the automation systems of Böllhoff Automation.
One example of this is the RFID-based, wireless data storage system used with our RIVTAC ®
technology.

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With RIVTAC the robot-controlled setting heads are normally changed on maintenance or repair,
®
with the head then going into storage after servicing until it is next used again. RIVTAC systems
are therefore designed to function with different setting heads via plug & play. This capability re-
quires adjustment values specific to each setting head, e.g. calibration parameters, to be directly
stored on the head.

This is where RFID technology comes in: All necessary setting parameters and maintenance
counter readings are stored on a memory chip no larger than a matchbox. It is directly mounted
on the setting head and does not need its own energy supply. They can then be read or written to
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the RIVTAC station with a read-write unit installed in a suitable manner. This happens whenever
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the robot docks with the setting head at the station to take up new RIVTAC elements.
The use of RFID storage technology has made it possible to dispense with wired storage and
significantly reduce the space required for the electronic components on the setting head.
In future the systems of Böllhoff Automation will permit remote access to diagnostics and status
data via specially secured data connections. This will allow the Service team to offer fast support

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