Machine Interfaces
We know that manufacturers have a variety of machine makes and models of all types and ages. Our goal was to make it easy to connect to those assets. So, we developed unique software interfaces and devices for obtaining machine data, analyzing it, and displaying without the need for changes to the controllers or machine itself.
CNC controls with
fast & easy installation.
Minimally invasive, high velocity installation means you’re up and running in hours, not weeks or months. No PLC Ladder or NC Program modifications are needed.
The Freedom® AI team has developed its own set of robust, easy to install, MTConnect Adapters that enable connectivity with any industrial asset. They are available as part of the Freedom eLOG® platform, or as stand-alone interfaces.
As the communication standard for the manufacturing industry, we have adopted the MTConnect protocol which provides rich data sets in a consistent format which can also be used to integrate with other applications such as ERP/MES and other business systems. Freedom AI Software Adapters are available for all types of controllers on all types of machines.
Freedom Software Adapter.
Freedom AI Software Adapters exist for many of the current standard CNC, PLC, and Robot controls that are used on the majority of industrial assets.
This interface is installed directly on the assets industrial controller. Freedom AI Software Adapters communicate directly with the industrial controller via open architecture tools supplied by the control vendors. No PLC programming, asset configuration, or NC programming is required.
The Freedom AI Software Adapter is extremely simple to install, taking only a few minutes to configure and when connected to a Freedom AI Server, communicates the real-time status of the industrial asset via MTConnect.
Freedom AI Software Adapters are available for all types of controllers on all types of machines.
Examples include are but not limited to:
- CNCs (Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain, Bosch, Mazak, Okuma, etc..)
- PLCs (A-B, Siemens, Modicon, etc..)
- Robots (Fanuc, Kuka, ABB, etc..)
- Any Controllers with OPC-UA
MTConnect compliant.
Deployment options.
The Freedom AI Server is a Linux-based system that hosts the Freedom AI software. In an effort to leverage the latest technologies and create unique value for our customers the Freedom AI platform is available in two options:
– An Industrial Cloud Managed by the Freedom AI Team
– An On-Premise Virtual Server hosted by the Customer
....and there's no special software to install
on user devices, all you need is a web browser.
Scalable Multi-Tennent Solution
Benefits of Freedom AI
in the industrial cloud.
Hosted externally on a third-party hosting service
Our Freedom AI Industrial Cloud option is a scalable multi-tenant solution that is hosted externally on a third-party hosting service. The key benefits are;
- Lowers the Cost of Entry
- Eliminates the need for Dedicated or Virtual Servers and the IT staff to maintain them
- Multi-Tenant – Your Enterprise on the Same Platform
- All Plants on the Same Upgrade Path and on the Same Release of the Freedom AI Software
Machine interface adapters.
Delivering a variety of connectivity options.
Hosting Appliance
For those assets with an industrial controller that does not support open architecture, we offer a hosting appliance.
This DIN-rail mounted industrial PC provides a Windows platform on which the Freedom AI Software Adapter resides.
The Hosting Appliance offers:
- 2 x RS-232/422/485 Ports with Automatic Flow Control
- 3 x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 Ports with Teaming Function Support
- 4 x External USB
- PC/104+ Expansion Slots Option
- 1 x Mini PCIe slot for WLAN and Fieldbus Cards
- Windows® Platform
Sensor Adapter
The Freedom AI Sensor Adapter is for deploying additional sensors to any type of industrial asset but also for connecting to legacy assets whose only option for communication is through discrete I/O.
This off-the-shelf, self-contained, DIN-rail mounted electronic appliance mounts in the industrial asset’s power panel and is connected to I/O signals from the asset as well as from external sensors.
The Freedom AI Sensor Adapter has MTConnect on-board and connects directly to the Freedom AI Server. It does not require PLC programming, asset configuration, or NC programming.
This adapter is expandable offering a variety of signal monitoring capabilities such as:
- 2 x RS-232/422/485 Ports with Automatic Flow Control
- 3 x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ-45 Ports with Teaming Function Support
- 4 x External USB
- PC/104+ Expansion Slots Option
- 1 x Mini PCIe slot for WLAN and Fieldbus Cards
- Windows® Platform
"Edge analytics"
by Freedom AI
Freedom AI Gateway and Freedom AI eDGE provide the “edge analytics”, visualization, and secure network connection (to the asset monitoring client) as the foundation for an a la cart machine monitoring device that can scale to an enterprise machine monitoring solution. They allow you to transform any industrial asset into a Smart IIoT asset.
FREEDOM® AI Gateway
Freedom AI Gateway is an industrially hardened IIoT edge appliance installed in the electrical cabinet of the production asset acting as a host for the Freedom AI eDGE software package.
Additionally, it provides I/O interfaces for legacy machines, supports external sensor implementation/aggregation, and delivers both wired and wireless connectivity for ancillary devices.
Gateway is configurable to meet any production asset monitoring situation:
- Flexible Network Configuration and Firewall Rules that allows for Creation of Isolated and Bonded Networks
- Provides a Secure Gateway Between IIoT Connected Industrial Assets and Factory Networks
- Hosts Freedom’s AI Communication Software Enabling the Machine Control to Interface with Asset Monitoring Systems via MTConnect
- Provides I/O Interfaces for Legacy Machines that do not have newer technology machine controllers
- Hosts Freedom AI’s eDGE Software Providing Analytics and Visualization Local to the Asset
- Displays Manufacturing Metrics Locally on Operator Stations and Andon Boards Connected to the Freedom AI Gateway
- Accesses Manufacturing Metrics Wirelessly via Mobile Devices
FREEDOM® AI EDGE
Your solution for Edge Analytics, Freedom AI eDGE is a web-based system that can be accessed from any device connected to the Freedom AI Gateway with a standard web browser.
Features inclued:
- Real-Time and Historical Manufacturing OEE Analytics
- Unlimited Custom Dashboards and Andon Views
- Intuitive Graphical User Interface
- Point and Click
- Drill Down Capability
- Comprehensive Standard Reports
- Email and Text Notification
