Increase productivity Optimize processes, conserve resources, and ensure improved overall equipment effectiveness.

Production employee in front of a system with tablet and system data

Reduction of downtimes while increasing quality Targeted optimization of your processes during operation

The more efficiently production and process chains run, the better the cost and profit situation. Our Digital Factory now solutions generate transparency of all process data. Join us on the path to intelligent production: from resource-saving process management right through to flexible production down to a batch size of 1 in a holistically secured network.

The aim is to increase the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in production. This means a reduction in downtime while at the same time increasing the quality and output quantity. The transparency gained enables optimization potential in the Digital Factory to be revealed. As a sidetrack on the journey to greater sustainability, productivity is also increased.

With our Smart Production solution, we were able to implement the safety requirement of system safety for the robot application in our production quickly, simply, and with a minimum of effort.

Sven Helmsen - Phoenix Contact, Production Support, SMT
Sven Helmsen

Increase the level of automation intelligently from an economic point of view Between 30 and 50% cheaper than a classic MES approach: targeted automation, analysis, and optimization of processes for greater efficiency while reducing costs at the same time

Smart Production Cabinet
PLCnext Engineer
Modular Operator Station
Smart Production Cabinet

The compact Smart Production Cabinet control cabinet solution enables the control and monitoring of systems and machines as well as the creation of relevant diagnostics. With the modular design, you can select your ideal combination of prefabricated and individual configurations. Moreover, you can implement your own solution based on this design.

PLCnext Engineer

The Smart Production library is a collection of function blocks and visualization elements for creating your own open automation standard. With minimal programming effort, many basic functions for control, regulation, and monitoring, as well as alarms and diagnostics can be implemented and suitable visualization elements can be used for your individual requirements. The visualization based on the integrated PLCnext Web HMI server is automatically generated in a rule-based manner from the application program and can also be individually expanded.

Suitable training concepts and a comprehensive description support you in the joint or individual implementation of a globally applicable automation standard for your systems and machines.

Download the software now
Modular Operator Station

Due to the changing role of people, it is necessary to create suitable MMI interfaces for the interaction between people and machines. The Modular Operator Station from Phoenix Contact combines the highest requirements on robustness and slim ergonomic designs and brings these together with intelligent and powerful operating options. The Modular Operator Stations can be installed in systems without any further engineering effort. Only a power supply and network connection are required.
The control stations are equipped with an IPC-65 PC as well as an integrated web client (also with the open Windows operating system as an option). In addition, they are characterized by scalable performance, screen size, and various user interfaces (push button box, keyboard, mouse, RFID reader).

Learn more about the Modular Operator Station

Compact and open to your individual requirements

Interactive image map: Smart Production topology function representation
Operator Station
The modular Operator Station from Phoenix Contact is the ideal MMI solution. It combines the highest requirements on robustness with a slim ergonomic design and combines these with intelligent and powerful operating options. The modular Operator Stations can be installed in systems without any further engineering effort. In addition, they are characterized by scalable performance, screen size, and various user interfaces (push button box, keyboard, mouse, RFID reader).
Operator Station
AGVs
Flexibility at the highest level: We provide solutions for the electrification and automation of your AGVs: Control, safety, navigation, electrification, communication, and energy. For an automated guided vehicle system in which components are coordinated with each other and functions can be flexibly and easily adapted or extended.
AGVs
Smart Production Cabinet
Simple and cost-effective automation: The combination of the compact Smart Production Cabinet and intelligent Smart Production Library enables the control and monitoring of systems and machines as well as the creation of relevant diagnostics. With the modular design, you can select your ideal combination of pre-engineered and individual configurations, tailoring it perfectly to your particular application.
Smart Production Cabinet
Cloud
Worldwide data availability implemented easily and securely: Cloud-based production facilities can be networked worldwide and across locations. With Digital Factory now, the openness of our solutions gives you the choice to use the high-performance plug-and-play Proficloud.io IIoT platform from Phoenix Contact or any other cloud platform.
Cloud

Your advantages

  • Fast, modular automation of decentral machines and systems for greater process efficiency
  • Improved production quality through AI-based process monitoring and optimization with machine learning (MLnext)
  • Faster decision making with condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance
  • Increased output with the open and powerful PLCnext Technology ecosystem in conjunction with the Smart Production automation standard

With MLnext, we were able to implement and optimize our machine learning solutions from the lab into the production environment. This has reduced downtimes and enabled maintenance to be carried out more effectively.

Tom Hammerbacher - Phoenix Contact, Solution Engineer – Data Science
Tom Hammerbacher
Podcast
Podcast on the subject of AI-based production optimization
In the podcast, you will learn more about how he and his team use machine learning to develop solutions to improve the customer’s energy consumption, how artificial intelligence is used in practice, and what role automation technology from Phoenix Contact plays in this. You will also learn more about how these latest technologies and solutions are tested and used in our in-house factory.
Listen to the podcast now
Tom Hammerbacher in production in front of a machine with a colleague

Practical example: Optimization of three-phase motors in the sense of an All Electric Society Efficient and cost-saving: reduce energy consumption and operating costs through data-driven solutions and open systems

Employee in front of motors in the process industry
MLnext dashboard with loads for optimization
Light bulb manufacturing in the glass industry with icon and values for consumption optimization
Employee in front of motors in the process industry

Comprehensive data on the operation of the three-phase motors can be collected by using energy measuring devices such as the EMpro and additional sensors like temperature, vibration, and differential pressure sensors. This data is analyzed in the MLnext software app to monitor and optimize the energy consumption and performance of the motors.

MLnext dashboard with loads for optimization

By integrating data-driven solutions and open systems such as MLnext and PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact, three-phase motors can be optimally monitored and controlled. PLCnext Technology is an open and flexible ecosystem that enables the integration of machine learning models and other modern technologies. This enables continuous monitoring and optimization of the motors by making predictions their condition and initiating maintenance measures in a timely manner.

Light bulb manufacturing in the glass industry with icon and values for consumption optimization

In critical areas such as thermal processes in the glass, chemical, and steel industries, redundant pumps often run for years in incorrect applications and performance classes or were incorrectly dimensioned at the outset. This results in high operating and storage costs. By continuously monitoring and analyzing the operating data, such inefficiencies can be detected and eliminated at an early stage.
Defective seals and membranes, which are often difficult to identify by specialist personnel, can be detected quickly through data-driven monitoring. This not only saves costs but also increases operational safety and efficiency.

FAQs from machine builders and systems manufacturers

Digital twin icon
Energy efficiency and cost savings
PLCnext Control
Digital twin icon

The asset management shell (AAS) from Phoenix Contact serves as a digital twin and enables standardized data exchange between different systems. Benefit from improved data transparency, data security, and more efficient processes with seamless integration.

Energy efficiency and cost savings

Phoenix Contact provides automation solutions such as PLCnext Technology, which enables flexible and scalable control. This technology supports the integration of renewable energies and optimizes energy consumption through intelligent control. This reduces energy consumption and operating costs in the long term and enables you to operate more sustainably.

PLCnext Control

Industrial security solutions from Phoenix Contact, such as the certified controllers from the PLCnext Control family, provide comprehensive protection against cyberattacks. You can therefore increase your system security and protect systems against failures and data loss.

FAQs from factory operators

Reduce energy costs icon
Modular automation icon
Sustainable factory icon
Reduce energy costs icon

Energy storage systems and feed-in management from Phoenix Contact enable the efficient use and storage of renewable energy.
For reducing energy costs, stabilizing energy requirements, and contributing to sustainability.

Modular automation icon

Modular automation solutions and 5G campus networks from Phoenix Contact offer flexible and fast customization options.
For increased production flexibility and faster response times to market requirements.

Sustainable factory icon

Sector coupling and key carbon emission figures via the asset administration shell enable a holistic approach and the optimization of energy flows. For reducing the carbon footprint while complying with environmental standards for sustainable production.