New open automation platform “NOA” from KEB Automation
Presentation of the complete solution at SPS 2023
With NOA (Next Open Automation) KEB Automation presents a new IIoT and Edge platform for the collection, visualisation and processing of data. Use cases such as predictive maintenance can be implemented with NOA and protect plant and machine manufacturers from unwanted downtimes and high follow-up costs. The platform enables users to design their own automation solutions flexibly and easily on the basis of open systems.
NOA makes it easier for machine and plant builders to individually integrate functionalities into the system. KEB's platform is based on microservices and can be supplemented by hardware and software components from KEB. Container-based apps such as solutions for HMIs, machine learning, monitoring and controls as well as customer-specific apps can be managed on the Edge via the App Manager. The cloud-based NOA Portal provides the higher-level services such as device management. The core infrastructure NOA Core relies on a Linux and container-based architecture and can be used on embedded hardware, IPCs and panels from KEB or 3rd party devices. Overall, NOA works similar to a smartphone: here, too, it is not necessary for the user to install all the apps from the store – he can configure his smartphone with the apps individually, in accordance with his own needs.
“NOA follows a very open and flexible approach,” says Uwe Huber, Head of HMI and IIoT at KEB. “On the software side, the user can add KEB apps as well as their own or 3rd party apps and thus access all available data. On the hardware side, the system can run on both KEB and 3rd party devices.” Among other things, the HELIO HMI management system is also available as a NOA app. HELIO enables the platform-independent visualisation of machines and plants. Web-based HMI or SCADA applications can be created easily and quickly without programming knowledge. The display is flexible and can be used on different target devices.
On the hardware side, for example, the new C6 COMPACT 3 embedded controller from KEB Automation, which is designed for applications with low to medium complexity, represents a suitable addition within the platform solution. The C6 X1 HMI panels with IP67 protection class and Power over Ethernet (PoE) are also suitable. “The available apps cover standard use cases such as predictive maintenance, visualisation, monitoring and data collection,” says Huber. “Here, data can be acquired locally through an edge system on site. Optionally, these can be collected, visualised, analysed and optimised in the cloud by means of a corresponding connection.” Quality indicators can be calculated by the user and insight can be gained into the data. The data collected by NOA is used for machine monitoring and, if necessary, alarming.
The HMI management system HELIO is already available, the hardware components are to follow soon. The launch of NOA as a complete solution is planned for 2024. At the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg, KEB Automation will present this solution to a wide audience for the first time at Stand 320 in Hall 7.
