Rockwell Automation Launches Edge Gateway To Optimize Data Processing

Rockwell Automation studied how and where data was being used and found some key insights. Data often makes a long, inefficient journey from machine to cloud back to machine. To combat this inefficiency, Rockwell Automation developed the OptixEdge gateway, which is designed to handle data processing near the edge, at the machine, instead of on the cloud.

Rockwell Automation’s OptixEdge edge gateway processes data in real time at its source. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation

Unused Industrial Data

Not so many years ago, data was expensive. There never seemed to be enough data to drive decisions. Now, sensors are much more affordable, and a massive amount of data is being generated in the manufacturing facility. For example, a modern semiconductor manufacturing machine may have thousands of sensors for both process and diagnostic purposes.

So much data is generated that large amounts go unused or are processed incorrectly. It sits in databases, occupies network bandwidth in transit to and from the cloud, and never sees the light of day. In Rockwell's State of Smart Manufacturing Report, the company discovered that only 44% of this data is used effectively. Why collect data if it isn't going to be used?

First, Rockwell investigated the common causes of data disuse. They found that much of the data was caught up due to security constraints, network limitations, and inefficient porting to the cloud. They also found that much of the data collected is discarded due to storage limits and the expense associated with storage expansion. In response to this inefficiency, Rockwell Automation developed its newest edge gateway.

The OptixEdge gateway features built-in OptixEdge Wizard software that only requires a web browser to configure. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation

The OptixEdge “Advanced” Edge Gateway

Rockwell's new OptixEdge "advanced" edge gateway is designed to be placed near the machines and systems of interest for data collection, processing, and control decision-making purposes. It still does all of the same features as traditional gateways: it collects information and ports it to the cloud, but it also handles some data processing internally so that control signals can be generated quickly and efficiently near the machine.

The OptixEdge can be easily integrated with existing Rockwell Automation hardware and many other third-party hardware providers. The gateway comes with a preinstalled FactoryTalk Optix app, Rockwell Automation's automation platform for data analysis, and configuration can be performed from a simple web browser, making it portable across devices.

The OptixEdge gateway is designed to optimize data processing and collection across industrial automation applications. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation

Optimizing Data Processing

Virtually any highly integrated and automated industrial site will benefit from the OptixEdge. Its primary purpose is to save time and network bandwidth, and that’s something that benefits everyone. For this reason, Rockwell Automation does not mention a specific target market, as any medium to large-scale production facility will see the value in this edge gateway.