PC-SEP23-PG23.1_Layout 1 04/09/2023 12:19 Page 23
INDUSTRY 4.0/IIoT AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE WITH 5G NETWORKS
Emmanuel Routier, Vice President Smart Industries, Orange Business, discusses how 5G networks can support digital transformation and the factors to consider when choosing an infrastructure and systems integrator partner
T
he industrial world is facing multiple challenges that accelerate the need for the digital transformation of their operational processes. With the technologies supporting digitalisation (5G, IoT, cloud, analytics, and machine learning) having reached a level of maturity that allows their adoption, it is often the choice of an infrastructure and systems integrator that can make or break a digital transformation project.
A key challenge for an industrial player is to be able to monitor its operational performance and thereby improve it. This means that it must be supported through the digital transformation of its networks so it can benefit from data gathered from its processes. When all production processes are digitalised and the data has been retrieved, structured and above all secured, it can be analysed and leveraged. The right infrastructure and systems integrator partner should be able to provide a manufacturer with solutions to improve the performance of its production or logistics chain, reduce downtimes, and to secure the personnel on site. More capable of supporting Industrial IoT than 4G, 5G offers industry the opportunity to become fully integrated with customer processes by offering guaranteed bandwidth and low/stable latency for sensitive business applications, by permitting huge concurrent connections and a ubiquitous network - even in densely populated areas or elevated mobility situations. The 5G Steel network is a great example.
Launched in November 2021 by ArcelorMittal,
5G Steel is the largest 4G/5G network within an industrial environment. It covers the full production plants at Dunkirk and Mardyck. Its Florange plant is foreseen to be fully covered, and likewise the main seaport of Dunkirk. It also covers ArcelorMittal Digital Labs in Dunkirk and Uckange. Currently, tests are being carried out to see if the network can extend to the Hauts- de-France and Grand Est regions. The mobile network covers all key complex industrial sites, outdoors and indoors, including beneath high- rise metal structures. The robustness of the mobile technology and the spectrum available for such mobile private network covers the production areas fully and seamlessly. ArcelorMittal indicated that for such coverage in this harsh environment, a Wi-Fi network would have cost 4 times more.
The objective behind the deployment of 5G Steel is to enable the ecosystem around the value chain of the following industrial use cases, to transform the way it works. ArcelorMittal Digital Labs are accelerators of such transformation. The connected operator: the mobility of people and processes enabled by 5G Steel is transforming the way people work in industrial environments. For example: on the hot strip rolling mill; data collection, entry and sharing operations can be done more quickly and intuitively with the help of tablets; inspections during maintenance operations, safety audits, lockout/tagout procedures. Steel recycling: recycled steel yard
management can facilitate extensive coverage and high throughput. Steel arriving at the site for recycling can be weighed and scanned to assess its density and composition. Data will then automatically be transmitted by the operators in charge of quality control from the field via 5G Steel. Machinery operators (crane and stackers) receive the information directly from the production program and can inform about the actions taken through 5G Steel. Steel recycling management connected to operator functionalities will contribute to the decarbonisation of the steel industry. Future-ready: industrial use cases are to be developed on site and include other initiatives in terms of mobility of people in work situations, autonomous rail vehicles, autonomous road vehicles, the generalisation of mobile maintenance with field information feedback, virtual or augmented reality and safety devices. Industry 4.0 technologies will improve the reliability, operator safety and comfort, productivity, and quality in all ArcelorMittal factories.
Choosing a digital transformation partner: Firstly, start by addressing production-related needs in terms of performance improvement of production processes. A partner that can combine components from an ecosystem will be able to source best-of-breed solutions for process automation, improving performance and increased safety for employees.
Second, because industrial companies’ data is often critical, strengthening their operational performance cannot be done at the expense of their security. This means the best digital transformation partner will also be a leader in cybersecurity, allowing them to support its industry customers in a secure transformation.
Third, aging network infrastructures may well need replacing, so look for a partner that is an operator-integrator as it will be able to offer infrastructure solutions such as mobile private networks, managed OT/IT gateway services, cloud infrastructure, or critical cybersecurity solutions for industrial plant data locally, and replicated globally. Finally, it’s crucial to partner with an infrastructure and systems integrator that supports the thinking, building and execution phase of all components of an end-to-end business solution that is tailored specifically for industries.
Orange Business
www.orange-business.com
SEPTEMBER 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL 23
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