Desoutter Industrial Tools and CEA-Leti announced a precise, new indoor-location system that enables factories to monitor tools in real time and help manage their use by workers to improve efficiency, safety, security and quality control on assembly lines.
Based on a CEA-Leti algorithm, embedded receptor architecture and ultra-wide-band (UWB) technology, the system has been optimized and customized for a variety of essential factory-floor jobs supported by Desoutter, a global leader in industrial electric and pneumatic assembly tools and other equipment. Easy to use deployment efforts have been significantly reduced with optimized automated functions compared to competing systems.
“The first function of this new localization system that Desoutter is bringing to market is to make sure that the right tools are used in the right zones on the factory floor,” said Emmanuel Sabonnadiere, CEO, CEA-Leti. “Following that, the system ensures that the right sequence of tasks is performed by the operator. The system automatically locks itself if an operator tries to operate a sequence outside the approved area.”
“This technology is a strong enabler for quality-process management,” said Pascal Roussy, Desoutter research & development manager. “In addition, the combination of localization and communication can help our customers meet their Industry 4.0 goals for faster, more efficient and more customer-centric operation.”
The technology is based on UWB radio modules and allows localization accuracy in the order of 10 centimeters in manufacturing environments. CEA-Leti developed and implemented the media access control (MAC) scheduling algorithms for both data and localization, as well as the localization algorithms for different deployment strategies.
CEA-Leti leveraged its 10 years of algorithmic-location research combining a diverse range of technologies. These include motion sensors (inertial sensors, accelerometers and magnetometers), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), cameras and ultra-wide-band radio customized to deliver optimal performance in Desoutter’s industrial tools.
This R&D partnership is part of a larger collaboration between Desoutter and CEA’s technology-branch institutes. CEA and Desoutter teams continue working closely on their Nantes R&D Center, and on pursuing their R&D efforts to support the digitalization process in manufacturing. Their goal is to continuously improve quality control with tailor-made products at a competitive price, while promoting a safer work environment.
