Using a Nordic or Arduino Development Kit for Smart Manufacturing 

Smart manufacturing integrates IoT (Internet of Things) technologies to enhance production efficiency, quality control, and operational oversight. Here's how you can leverage a Nordic Semiconductor or Arduino development kit in this context: 

Example: Real-Time Monitoring of Production Line Equipment with Arduino 

Objective: To monitor the condition of critical machinery on a production line in real-time, alerting maintenance teams to potential issues before they lead to downtime.  

Setup with Arduino:  

• Hardware Selection: 

  • Arduino Board: Choose a robust Arduino board like the Arduino Mega or Arduino MKR series for multiple sensor connections.

  • Sensors:  

    • Temperature Sensor: DS18B20 to monitor machine temperatures.

    • Vibration Sensor: ADXL345 for detecting anomalies in machine operation.

    • Current Sensor: ACS712 for monitoring energy consumption or detecting electrical issues. 

• Integration: 

  • Connect the sensors to the Arduino board. For instance, temperature sensors can use the 1-Wire protocol, while vibration sensors might connect via I2C. 

• Software: 

  • Write code to read sensor data: 

This code snippet reads temperature and vibration data, which can be crucial for predictive maintenance. 

• Data Transmission: 

  • Use an Arduino WiFi module or Ethernet shield to send data to a central server or cloud platform. Alternatively, for local networks, use serial communication to a local PC. 

• Alert System: 

  • Implement logic within the Arduino code or on a connected server to analyze data and trigger alerts via text message, email, or even directly interfacing with factory systems for immediate action. 

• User Interface: 

  • Develop a dashboard using platforms like Arduino Cloud, Node-RED, or custom web applications where real-time data can be visualized, and historical trends analyzed. 

#include <OneWire.h> 
#include <DallasTemperature.h> 
#include <Wire.h> 
#include <ADXL345.h> 
 
// Initialize sensors 
OneWire oneWire(2); // Pin for temperature sensor 
DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire); 
ADXL345 adxl; // Acceleration sensor 
 
void setup() { 
 Serial.begin(9600); 
 sensors.begin(); 
 adxl.powerOn(); 
} 
 
void loop() { 
 sensors.requestTemperatures(); 
 float tempC = sensors.getTempCByIndex(0); 
 int x, y, z; 
 adxl.getAcceleration(&x, &y, &z); 
 
 Serial.print("Temperature: "); 
 Serial.print(tempC); 
 Serial.print("C, Vibration X: "); 
 Serial.print(x); 
 Serial.print(", Y: "); 
 Serial.print(y); 
 Serial.print(", Z: "); 
 Serial.println(z); 
 
 delay(1000); // Delay for stability 
} 

Benefits: 

• Predictive Maintenance: By continuously monitoring equipment conditions, you can predict when maintenance is needed, reducing unplanned downtime. 

• Efficiency: Real-time data can optimize machine operation or energy use. 

• Quality Control: Monitoring can help in maintaining consistent product quality by ensuring machines operate within optimal parameters. 

Example: Using Nordic nRF52 for Wireless Sensor Network in Manufacturing 

Objective: Implement a wireless sensor network to monitor multiple points across a large manufacturing floor without the need for extensive cabling. 

Setup with Nordic nRF52: 

• Nordic nRF52840 DK: This kit supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is ideal for low-power, low-cost sensor networks. 

• Sensors: Similar to Arduino, but with an emphasis on BLE-compatible sensors or modules that can interface with the nRF52. 

• Software: 

  • Utilize the nRF5 SDK or the Arduino IDE with the Nordic nRF52 board support for programming.  

  • Implement BLE mesh networking for a robust, wide-area sensor network: 

This code snippet is meant to serve as an example of how to use Bluefruit with nRF SDK

• Mesh Networking: Use BLE mesh to create a network where sensors communicate with each other, relaying information to a central gateway or directly to maintenance devices. 

• Data Collection and Analysis: Implement a BLE gateway or use existing smartphones/tablets for data collection, which can then be analyzed on cloud platforms for insights.

#include <bluefruit.h> 
 
void setup() { 
 Bluefruit.begin(); 
 Bluefruit.setTxPower(4); // Set max power for better range 
 Bluefruit.setName("Manufacturing-Sensor"); 
 Bluefruit.Periph.setConnInterval(6, 12); // 7.5-15 ms 
 
 // Setup the Advertising Packet 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.addFlags(BLE_GAP_ADV_FLAGS_LE_ONLY_GENERAL_DISC_MODE); 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.addTxPower(); 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.addName(); 
 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.restartOnDisconnect(true); 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.setInterval(32, 244);    // in unit of 0.625 ms 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.setFastTimeout(30);      // number of seconds in fast mode 
 Bluefruit.Advertising.start(0);                // 0 = Don't stop advertising after n seconds   
} 
 
void loop() { 
 // Your sensor reading and BLE transmission code here 
}  

Benefits of using Nordic in your build: 

• Scalability: Easily add or remove sensors without significant infrastructure changes. 

• Flexibility: Can cover large areas with less power consumption compared to traditional wireless solutions. 

• Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for extensive wiring, lowering installation costs. 
  

Both examples illustrate how these development kits can be pivotal in modernizing manufacturing processes, offering real-time insights and enabling proactive maintenance strategies. 

Once established on a development kit, consider creating custom PCBs depending on the scope of the project. For more information on transitioning from a development kit to a custom PCB, check out this article here.

Sources

• https://rutronik-tec.com/single-board-arduino-uno-shield-compatible-dev-kit-from-nordic-semiconductor-supports-bluetooth-smart-ant-and-2-4ghz-designs/

• https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoPrimo/

• https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/n/nordic-semi/nrf52840-pdk-development-kit-for-nrf52840-soc

• https://audioxpress.com/news/nordic-semiconductor-shows-development-kit-and-other-solutions-for-bluetooth-5-implementation