Fluid 4.0 - Implementation of digitalization for fluid power technology 4.0 using asset administration shells, submodels and demonstrators

In the Fluid 4.0 project, fluid technology manufacturers, machine and system manufacturers, users and service providers are working together on the digitalisation of fluid technology. Both specific applications and overarching challenges are being addressed.

FLUIDON GmbH is actively contributing its extensive expertise in the simulation of fluid technology systems to the project. It is developing an Industry 4.0-compliant simulation solution and the associated infrastructure for the integrated and digital engineering of fluid technology systems.

Among other things, FLUIDON is demonstrating the use of the AAS submodel TechnicalData to parameterise fluid engineering simulation models in the SaaS environment Cube in order to calculate the carbon footprint of a production process and feed this back into the AAS submodel Carbon Footprint. The asset integration of Cube via the AAS submodel Asset-Interfaces-Description and the MQTT protocol is also presented.

The challenge of engineering fluid power systems

• Fluid technology (hydraulics & pneumatics) generates around 9.6 billion euros annually in Germany, with an export ratio of 60%.
• Fluid technology products offer high flexibility, dynamics, reliability, robustness and power density with low weight. They are essential components in stationary and mobile mechanical engineering.

Data & digitalisation as the key to the future

• The diversity of variants and flexibility of use of fluid technology components generate large amounts of data - essential for future value chains.
• Industry 4.0 promotes efficiency, increased productivity and new business models with economic and ecological benefits.
• The cross-manufacturer exchange of data is fundamentally changing the entire value creation system.

Challenges of fluid technology

• No standardised application scenarios or predefined inputs and outputs as in other industries.
• Digital twins as a solution: The VDMA Fluid Technology Association has developed a digitalisation concept.
• Implementation with Asset Administration Shell (AAS) for maximum flexibility & compatibility with standards such as OPC UA or Automation ML.

Goals & benefits

• Improved collaboration between manufacturers, machine builders, users & service providers.
• In future, manufacturers will supply physical components together with a management shell.
• Machine and plant manufacturers use the digital twin for data-driven processes and Industry 4.0 data management.

A consortium of experts and companies has joined forces to tackle the current deficits and challenges in the digitalisation of fluid technology. Together, they are developing innovative solutions in the following key areas:

• Cross-industry, machine-readable data provision for fluid technology systems - the basis for a networked fluid technology data space.
• Intelligent administration shells at system level that optimally link and expand the existing infrastructure at component level.
• Domain-specific digital services that are specially developed for fluid technology applications.
• Networked interfaces between manufacturers and users that enable seamless integration into existing data standards, digitalisation technologies and engineering tools.
• Cross-life cycle CO₂ balancing and circular economy concepts to create sustainable and resource-saving solutions for fluid technology.
• Integrated digital engineering for the efficient development and optimisation of fluid technology components.

This project paves the way for future-proof, digitally networked fluid technology that is more efficient, more sustainable and better integrated than ever before.