Polestar Interactive has been announced as the first strategic network and systems integration partner for FANUC UK and its Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform, FIELD (FANUC Intelligent Edge Link and Drive) system.
Suitable for industrial applications ranging from subcontract machine shops to OEMs, FIELD is an open-source platform that connects a broad range of FANUC and third-party production technology. The aim is to provide fast, centralised access to all production data to help end-users take a decisive step towards Smart Factory status. Polestar Interactive specialises in bridging the gap between enterprise IT and OT teams and systems through the design and implementation of secure network architectures, which is core for the FIELD system to operate on high availability and resilience.
The partnership will see Polestar Interactive support the rollout of the FIELD system across several industrial sub-sectors, including the food and beverage, FMCG, pharmaceutical, automotive, aerospace, and utility industries. The FIELD system collects, keeps and processes a wide range of production data at source on the shop floor, rather than in the cloud. As such, it gives operators access to far more accurate real-time data and analytics. For larger sites, the FIELD system is fully scalable across multiple cells within a factory.
The Business Development Manager at FANUC, Oliver Selby says: “Digital transformation is not a new phenomenon for manufacturers. However, the global events of the past 18 months have undoubtedly accelerated its take-up. Industrial companies may be able to overcome the current deficits and uncertainties of the workplace by intentionally embracing digital aspects including the data generated by workers, tools, machinery and platforms. With many manufacturers increasingly aware of what they need to do, we see the FIELD system as a tool to empower them to implement systems which can improve the overall efficiency and quality of the production process.”
Polestar Interactive is in the process of creating a demonstration unit to allow potential customers to trial FIELD at their facility prior to making a purchasing decision. The trial device is expected to be available to customers from September 2021.
