Modular smart controller for Industry 4.0 functions in machine tools

In machine tools, Industry 4.0 functions can increase availability through predictive maintenance, while other functions improve productivity and workpiece quality through process supervision and optimisation. Many of these functions rely on data communication between systems from different suppliers. Requirements regarding latency and computing vary widely depending on the application. Based on an analysis of these requirements, a smart controller for the implementation of Industry 4.0 is designed, using a hypervisor to allow for the integration of soft real-time and best-effort applications. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.