Igus has introduced the i.Cee² industrial edge module, a control cabinet-mounted device designed to help manufacturers begin collecting and analysing machine data without first establishing complex IT infrastructure.

The module acts as a universal data logger and analysis platform, recording information from connected sensors and processing it directly at the machine. Sensors can be used to monitor parameters including electrical current, temperature, humidity and force.

Data is stored, processed and visualised locally, giving operators an initial overview of equipment and process conditions. Igus said this approach is intended to provide manufacturers with a gradual route from basic data collection to condition monitoring and, eventually, predictive maintenance.

“Predictive maintenance doesn’t start with complex systems, but with the initial data. That’s why we deliberately use data logging as a starting point for the i.Cee². Customers first record their machine data and then recognise correlations and statuses step by step. This creates a very pragmatic transition to condition monitoring,” said Richard Habering, Head of smart plastics at igus.

Maintenance forecasts and specific recommendations can then be developed as companies accumulate sufficient operating data. The approach could be particularly useful for businesses that do not yet have an extensive history of machine-performance information.

The device uses edge computing, meaning that information is processed close to the machinery where it is generated rather than being transferred immediately to a cloud platform. Igus said local processing can reduce the volume of data being transmitted, limit dependence on network connections and support faster response times.

An internet connection is not required for local operation. Where manufacturers want to connect the device to broader production or business systems, data can be transferred to cloud platforms, supervisory control and data acquisition systems or manufacturing execution systems through REST and MQTT interfaces.

The module includes analogue and digital connections as well as CAN bus, RS485, HDMI and two RJ45 ports, allowing it to be used with a range of commercially available sensors. Its 24V DC power input has also been developed for operation in industrial environments where electrical networks may be affected by electromagnetic interference.

Igus is supplying i.Cee² with an open-source software environment that includes Node-RED for visual programming, the InfluxDB time-series database and Grafana visualisation software.

The combination allows users to configure data flows, build dashboards and examine relationships between machine parameters without requiring extensive programming knowledge. The platform can subsequently be expanded with additional analytical algorithms or artificial intelligence-based applications.