Small component, large benefit

Classic nameplates are becoming a discontinued model in smart factories or are only the expression of the most important product data. More and more relevant information and the ongoing miniaturization of products clearly speak for the digitization of the nameplate. Sigmatek system components have already had a digital nameplate for many years.

Product-relevant information is stored here, such as article designation, serial number, hardware status, screen sizes, memory configuration, MAC address and much more - including checksums over the entire data set to verify validity.

Easy further processing of information

All available information can be read out at any time with the engineering tool LASAL in the form of a hardware tree. The data can be stored in the machine/plant history, processed further and displayed on the user interface. Thus, the machine builder knows at any time which system components are installed in the delivered machine or plant. The collected data proves to be extremely helpful, especially in the case of service - be it for diagnosis, troubleshooting or spare parts procurement in the absence of documentation.

The information from the digital nameplate can also be further processed on the software side. For example, it is possible to define in the application what should happen if system components are replaced without authorization during the warranty period - by the end customer or a third-party service company. As a preventive measure, for example, a warning message on the user interface can inform the customer that an operation excluded from the warranty has taken place.

Important data - over the entire life cycle

At the same time, this process can be stored in the log file of the control system and evaluated at a later time. In the event that the control system is connected to the manufacturer's service cloud, the machine builder can of course also be informed of this event in this way, so that he knows the history over the entire life cycle of his machine/plant.

These advantages will make the digital nameplate a selling point in the medium term. Especially since it also helps in the fight against machine plagiarism. The serial number stored in the digital nameplate is stored on the control system via the application code directly before delivery and cannot be changed there. If they do not match, the boot process of the CPU is automatically aborted. This makes product piracy impossible and also protects the operator of the machine or system from intervention by untrained personnel.

With Varan products from Sigmatek, the respective product data sheet can also be stored in the digital nameplate. This saves paper in terms of sustainability and the information is always available.