Phoenix Contact focuses on sustainability and balancing its carbon footprint by developing automation solutions. The company aims to help other manufacturing companies achieve carbon neutrality by electrifying loads, creating energy transparency, and using renewable energies in daily operations. The All Electric Society concept describes a future where renewable energy is available worldwide in sufficient quantities and economically. Phoenix Contact’s holistic digitalization concept, “Digital Factory now,” integrates consumption data into distribution, visualization, and control of process data, aiming to control energy consumption and achieve carbon-neutral production.

A soldering system in the Digital Factory in Bad Pyrmont integrates energy-saving measures by analyzing energy data from a Data Collection Box. The system identifies standby energy consumption and allows for dynamic switch-off and switch-on times based on order data and energy data analysis. This allows for more efficient order planning in the long term. Phoenix Contact’s “MLnext” machine learning solutions can help predict field-level information, such as manual workstation utilization status, ensuring data availability. A holistic approach to optimization involves collecting and analyzing data throughout the entire production process using AI-based algorithms.

G.hn technology expands network range and speed by extending the physical limitations of Ethernet transmission. This enables distances of up to 1000 meters over simple 2-wire cables at a maximum data rate of 1 Gbps. This technology is beneficial for industrial applications, such as computers, automation controllers, surveillance cameras, traffic regulators, building automation, and household appliances. It provides longer communication paths and a more simplified cabling structure.

Phoenix Contact’s new Gigabit Ethernet extender product family allows users to convert Ethernet communication to G.hn communication. This reduces effort and costs. The technology allows for the use of various transmission media, such as twisted pairs, coaxial conductors, or unused power cables, making it a cost-saving alternative to fiber-optic cables for Ethernet connections exceeding 100 meters.

G.hn, a technology that distinguishes itself from other technologies like SHDSL, VDSL, and SPE, describes both the physical layer (first layer) and data layers (second layer) of a network. This way, G.hn opens up the option to build and manage more complex network topologies. Phoenix Contact’s Gigabit Ethernet extenders allow you to interconnect network devices in various topologies, including line, star, and tree structures. They can manage up to 15 devices, which do not require any settings to be made, However, users should note that the maximum data rate of 1 Gbps may decrease as the number of extenders increases.

Phoenix Contact offers a solution for energy-intensive glass manufacturing to achieve Net Zero climate goals, using PLCnext Technology’s IIoT framework. An auxiliary heating system was integrated into a glass plant in Egypt in 2009 to enhance glass quality and reduce emissions. This decision now plays a crucial role in transforming the glass industry into sustainable factories amidst rapid changes driven by factors like climate change and digitalization.

Early detection of anomalies in sensors and actuators along the glass manufacturing process brings several benefits. Firstly, it prevents disruptions, allowing for uninterrupted production. Secondly, it improves equipment efficiency, resulting in cost savings. Additionally, it optimizes fuel-air ratios and electrical heating, reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, it enables smart monitoring of various parameters for enhanced process control. To assist specialists in process optimization, Phoenix Contact offers MLnext, a machine learning system available on the PLCnext Store online marketplace. To ensure global accessibility, Phoenix Contact has introduced the Digital Factory Now initiative. This initiative provides open and standardized automation solutions based on PLCnext Technology. Consequently, it facilitates tailored solutions, from glass production to building-specific applications, in alignment with the goals of the All Electric Society.

Phoenix Contact has introduced the Mini Analog Pro series to address issues related to intrinsically safe explosion protection and functional safety in process plants and power-to-X systems. Furthermore, these devices offer slim designs, user-friendly operation, and support various signal types, including analog, digital, control, and measuring signals. Moreover, they provide intrinsically safe explosion protection and SIL 3 functional safety for all signal directions and types in a compact 6.2-millimeter width. As a result, this eliminates the need for redundant SIL 2 components in SIL 3 applications. Additionally, these products hold international Ex approvals, making them suitable for global use.

The Mini Analog Pro series terminal blocks simplify current measurement without the need to disconnect the current loop, ensuring uninterrupted operation. These devices have integrated current measuring points in their connection terminal blocks, allowing safe current measurement. They are designed for safety-related applications according to IEC 61508, achieving SIL 3 safety integrity levels in single-channel (1oo1) configurations.

The Mini Analog Pro series offers versatile configuration options for its devices. Users can connect them to a PC for setup using an isolating programming adapter, while the ClipX Engineer Device Parameterization software simplifies configuration with step-by-step wizards. Additionally, a free classic FDT/DTM solution supports manufacturer-independent configuration. These devices also support configuration via DIP switches and a built-in NFC chip, and a new Signal Conditioner app with extended features is available for iOS and Android.

Data-driven analysis of production systems enables predictive insights for machine condition, energy use, and performance. Furthermore, As a part of the “Digital Factory now” concept, Phoenix Contact offers modular hardware and software solutions for independent data acquisition. Control cabinets like Data Collection Box and Secure Edge Box integrate with existing infrastructure, with adaptable source code. Moreover, open-source tools like Grafana, Node-RED, and InfluxDB enhance flexibility.

The condition-based maintenance system uses energy and process data to plan maintenance based on the condition of the system, creating a digital system representation. Furthermore, data is collected by the Data Collection Box, standardized, and sent to the Secure Edge Box. A time series database archives the data, which can be visualized via a web app. Users can then use MLnext Creation to build a machine-learning model for comparing normal behavior during production.

A notable trend is the increasing reliance on cross-functional collaboration by large, globally operating companies as part of their digital transformation. A 2020 Accenture study found that companies using this approach achieved more than double the sales growth compared to those that didn’t. Effective collaboration across functions reduces costs and leads to measurable returns. Companies benefit even more in innovation and speed when they involve external partners in their development processes, alongside internal efforts. This shift turns a closed company system into an open ecosystem, tapping into external knowledge and creativity. Deloitte highlights this openness as a critical competitive advantage in the fast-paced digital economy.

The PLCnext community is working on a sustainable project with the “Beehyve” campaign to protect bees using advanced automation. ChatGPT, an AI-based system, represents a new form of collaborative technology. Phoenix Contact has been working in collaboration with its customers, the science community, and society ever since it was founded 100 years ago.

The Linux OS, especially with PREEMPT-RT, is widely used in automation devices, with growing popularity. Recent Linux versions support Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Tech ecosystem, based on RT Linux, supports TSN on suitable Ethernet hardware.

The responsibility for TSN implementation under Linux has shifted from device manufacturers, like Phoenix Contact, to chip manufacturers. Consequently, an automation device’s performance and quality hinge on the underlying TSN hardware and software. This shift has prompted device manufacturers to develop their network drivers to ensure the desired quality. In some cases, specific hardware, like FPGAs, is required, adding expenses and making hardware changes during a product’s lifespan more complicated.

Standards like DIN 14675-1, DIN VDE 0833-1, and DIN VDE 0833-2 define the planning, installation, operation, and maintenance of fire alarm systems. The fire alarm control panel serves as the central hub, connecting signal lines from fire alarms and internal alarms. Interfaces automate device and air conditioning control, manage extinguishing, voice alarms, smoke, and heat ventilation, and assist transmission units.

Examining connection ergonomics during the initial stages of field device development is undeniably advantageous. This process entails evaluating the choice between fixed connections and connector solutions, while also taking into account factors like installation location and protection requirements. Moreover, developers should proactively tackle technical considerations such as connection sizes, voltages, currents, and pitch at an early stage. By anticipating installation conditions and future maintenance needs, developers can intelligently guide device customization, thereby efficiently streamlining the entire installation and upkeep process.

Phoenix Contact’s LPT and LPC PCB terminal blocks and connectors feature spring-actuated contacts for reliable connections. Furthermore, an indicator lever shows clamping status, effectively preventing errors. Moreover, the preprogrammed spring force ensures stability without torque-related issues. Notably, these components meet international standards, including UL 1059, greatly simplifying approval for global markets.

The “System Protection Technologies Factory,” operated by Phoenix Contact, utilizes MORYX since 2017 for the digital integration of ERP, MES, and PLM systems. MORYX serves as a higher-level digital instance, enabling seamless operation of all systems. The integration has resulted in significant improvements, including zero makeready time for one product line and reduced setup time from 10 to 5 minutes for other lines. The advantages and successes of MORYX’s implementation include parallel production of orders, automated machine setup, handling high product variance, flexible process definition, and accelerated production due to MORYX’s adaptability to changing production environments.

Phoenix Contact utilizes machine interaction applications, such as smartwatches to enable seamless communication between machines and skilled workers in one of their plants since 2019. MORYX records real-time machine conditions and messages, sending support requests to plant personnel via smartwatches if problems are detected. The smartwatches provide location-specific details, issue types, severity, and potential solutions, allowing one employee to supervise multiple machines, even across different production halls. The advantages of this system include optimal time utilization, stress reduction for employees, and access to real-time information for efficient decision-making and support.