Metalworking in the Age of Connectivity

A white paper from Walter Surface Technologies shows how its new Wi-Fi-enabled passivation tester is a striking example of innovative sensor technology, web-enabled networking, cloud-based platforms and mobile apps coming together to support the metalworking industry in the digital age. It’s a compelling case study of data-driven manufacturing in action on the shop floor.

Many metalworking companies apply processes and treatments to workpieces in the course of producing them for customers. One example is passivation, a process to make stainless steel corrosion resistant. Testing passivated workpieces to be sure the process was complete and effective can be a challenge. However, any company concerned about quality control and inspection will be interested in this discussion of how a handheld wireless diagnostic tool, Walter Surface Technologies’ Surfox Smart Passivation Tester, is an example of the Industrial Internet of Things at work. The device measures the chromium oxide layer found on the surface of stainless steel. This layer protects the metal from corrosion and rust. Within seconds, the tester syncs a numeric value of the quality of the passive layer to a smart phone and uploads the test results to the cloud.

The device integrates both the physical and digital worlds and provides real-time data that can be shared with customers. Using this device as an example, the white paper puts the development and implementation of web-enabled technology into a real-world context.

As a plus, the paper includes a primer defining many of the most popular buzzwords related to the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 and Big Data is also handy and informative.

Fill out the form and download the white paper here.