Hitachi and Takebishi Collaborate to Enhance Manufacturing Traceability Solutions with IoT

Transforming Product Traceability in Manufacturing

In a significant move towards enhancing manufacturing processes, Hitachi Ltd. has announced the launch of a pioneering product traceability solution. This innovative solution is the result of a collaboration with Takebishi Co., Ltd., integrating Hitachi's Intelligent Platform (HIPF) with Takebishi's Device Gateway. Through this partnership, the companies have confirmed that it is possible to collect operational technology (OT) data from various industrial devices, regardless of their manufacturer or generation, on the cloud, all without manual coding.

Manufacturing industries today are facing rapid changes, notably influenced by advancements in IoT and artificial intelligence (AI). Hitachi’s new solution addresses the need for advanced product traceability that not only leverages IT data from ERP production plans or MES quality controls but also integrates vital OT data, such as the operational status of manufacturing equipment and sensor data. By implementing AI capabilities, the solution can automate tracking activities and detect early signs of product defects.

The process of integrating various data sources from production environments into management systems is becoming increasingly critical. Effective data collection and integration from scattered IT and OT sources in production settings is paramount for ensuring swift, data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in operations. Nonetheless, challenges arise due to the diverse nature of machinery and robotics in production environments; different communication protocols and data structures complicate the collection and utilization of OT data.

Hitachi’s Intelligent Platform presents a comprehensive service to support companies from the conceptualization of digital transformation strategies through to the implementation of data utilization foundations and digital twin creations. Takebishi, recognized as a technology trading company focusing on industrial electrical and electronic equipment, provides its Device Gateway, which facilitates the collection of information from production sites and bridges it to IoT services. This gateway is compatible with over 170 series of industrial devices, including PLCs, sensors, and equipment in water and power sectors, as well as building automation systems.

With the recent integration of the Hitachi Data Hub, a robust data collection function of HIPF, with Takebishi’s Device Gateway, companies can now easily gather OT data from various industrial machines and robotics without extensive development work. Furthermore, employing advanced solutions like the production site digital twin solution, IoT Compass and the high-speed data access foundation, Hitachi Advanced Data Binder (HADB), enables the efficient linking of collected IT/OT data with manufacturing processes. This synergy facilitates real-time tracking of semi-finished and finished products’ conditions across the factory floor.

By expanding the tracking scope to encompass the entire factory, manufacturers can establish a sophisticated traceability system that tracks procurement sources, assembly methods, inspection processes, and delivery destinations of finished products. This comprehensive approach ensures efficiency in tracing back issues concerning parts (traceback) and foreseeing the impact scope (trace forward), thereby enhancing quality management and reinforcing risk management practices such as optimal recall strategies.

As part of its ongoing commitment to driving digital transformation in manufacturing, Hitachi plans to deepen its collaboration with Takebishi. The aim is to leverage cloud technologies for broader data visualization throughout production environments, utilize AI effectively, and build further on digital twin solutions tailored for manufacturing clients.

Future Prospects

Both Hitachi and Takebishi's continued efforts in this direction are likely to provide manufacturers with the necessary tools to navigate challenges while maximizing operational efficiency. By embracing these state-of-the-art solutions, businesses can expect to improve not only their quality control measures but also their overall risk management strategies.

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