Implementing tactile internet using 5G technology to minimise production time in a PLC-driven smart manufacturing environment

Abstract

Smart manufacturing involves a dynamic, autonomous, and data-centric manufacturing or processing line. This manufacturing approach is gradually replacing traditional manufacturing due to its advantages which include improved productivity, reduced labour costs, product uniformity, remote and predictive maintenance, scalability, and product customisation. Amongst others, automation of production lines is one of the key attributes which is identified in all smart plants. Moreover, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are the most predominant automation technology in smart manufacturing. The diversity of PLCs is engendered by their durability, scalability, flexibility, improved usability, and simplified fault-finding ability. To facilitate network-reliant operations like remote maintenance, data management, and digital twins in smart manufacturing, a network technology with low latency, high bandwidth, easy access, increased reliability, and the ability to multi-connect an increased number of nodes should be implemented to establish a visual presence called tactile internet. These qualities are proven to improve data synchronisation on the network link of tactile internet applications, and improved network links minimise production time in smart manufacturing plants as the plant can be maintained remotely, and collaborative decision making, at any stage of production, can be made without network interruptions. Therefore, 5G network technology, which is equipped with the ultra-low latency, broad bandwidth, maximum device density, and reliability over all commercially available network technologies at the time of conducting this study, should be adapted into smart manufacturing environment to facilitate tactile internet applications. However, most industrial-level PLCs which are diversely used in smart plants lack 5G capabilities. Hence, this study undertook the comprehensive research of improving wireless 5G capabilities in an already existing PLC-driven smart plant, implementing tactile internet using wireless 5G technology, and proving/disproving the theorised ability of 5G technology to improve production time in tactile internet applications. In this study, the Scalance MUM856-1 5G wireless router was used to enhance 5G wireless features in a PLC-driven smart water bottling. Based on measured results, 5G technology was able to decrease the latency by 99.01%, increase bandwidth (throughput) by 75.40%, improve device density by 90%, maintain 100% reliability, and improve system accessibility over 4G network technology.