The digitization of the automated steel construction through the application of microcontrollers and MQTT
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ORIGINAL PAPER
The digitization of the automated steel construction through the application of microcontrollers and MQTT Rushi Dai1 · Ethan Kerber1 · Felix Reuter1 · Sven Stumm1 · Sigrid Brell‑Cokcan1 Received: 4 June 2020 / Accepted: 20 October 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Data acquisition and transfer are crucial aspects of the digitization and automation of construction workflows. Through the integration of microcontrollers in machinery, a multitude of data can be acquired and analyzed to adapt fabrication processes and optimize performance. The goal of this research was to develop connected multi-functional robotic systems that can transfer data across a wireless network through MQTT, a robust and lightweight IoT communication protocol. This research demonstrates a use case for such interconnected robotic technology by establishing wireless communication through MQTT between a mobile robot and a plasma cutting station. A microcontroller was utilized in the digitization and automation of this steel construction process to obtain, process and transfer the data in a way that was monitorable and storable for managing and optimizing workflows. Keywords Automation · Digitization · Steel construction · Data acquisition · Data transfer · IoT (Internet of Things) · MQTT · Microcontroller · Robotic fabrication · Mobile robot
1 Introduction
1.1 IoT in manufacturing industry
This research demonstrates a solution for the use of microcontrollers and the MQTT protocol to enable data acquisition and transfer in the automation process of steel construction. Section 1 reviews the state of the art. Section 2 briefly introduces the steel process, from design to construction, as an application scenario for automation and digitization. Automated plasma cutting is detailed as a reference scenario for an IoT enabled workstation. Section 3 documents the process of data acquisition from the plasma cutting and the optimization of cutting performance. Section 4 demonstrates how MQTT works with the data transfer between robots and various stations to build up multi-functional communication methods for automated fabrication.
The manufacturing industry often addresses the growing demand for production by increasing levels of automation in fabrication. As the need for more individualized production increases, robots should be able to perform in a more multi-functional manner to achieve increasingly complex sequences of tasks. According to individual tasks, the production line should be able to change its operation program or production layout without a long downtime in manufacturing that timeconsuming commissioning often entails. In addition to this increased flexibility, the production line should act as a source of information to help estimate and improve the efficiency of the overall project. The production line should have the ability to recognize and report process parameters, errors and defects automatically to intercept wasteful behaviour as early as possible. The concept of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) combined with the IoT, re
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