Production Data Storage with FTP Server

In the competitive world of manufacturing, effectively managing production data is key to success. Each piece of data collected from PLCs can significantly influence operational efficiency. By utilizing a local IPC (Industrial PC), companies can securely store and easily retrieve their production data using a secure FTP Server. This accessibility empowers plant teams to investigate past events, troubleshoot issues effectively, and optimize processes for better overall performance.

How we used a reliable SIMATIC IPC to enhance Data Storage

Based on the revised scope, the goal was to store data locally on a PC in CSV format utilizing our existing WinCC Unified Basic Panel and SIMATIC CPU 1510SP. This sparked our interest to store the production data in a compressed way to a local IPC for secure but quick access for plant staff via our PLC through secure FTP protocol.

Implementing a local IPC for storing PLC data offers several advantages. Designed specifically for industrial environments, local IPCs outperform standard PCs in terms of durability. They can withstand extreme temperatures, dust, and vibrations, ensuring reliable operation, not to mention they are built for the industry.

Industrial PC tailored for robust data storage in manufacturing environments.

Compact yet Powerful solution

From the figure above you can see the SIMATIC IPC 127E is a compact device, but don't be fooled by its size, the performance is perfect for data collection, storage, and even running smaller applications on Windows in parallel. Our method of storing data compresses each part to only 9KB of data into a CSV file, with each part containing 256 separate part checks in floating point numbers, and multiple sub-data structures per part. Afterwards the part data can be accessed from a local secure FTP client, and analyzed in excel in comparison with other part files. This could even be expanded utilizing a secure VPN to the machine to pull the data up to the plant offices.

A flexible solution that can be scaled based on storage needs

With this solution, a SIMATIC 1200/1500 PLC can be utilized as an FTP client, reduce load on the HMI and be adaptable for small to mid-sized projects. If large-sized project external storage is required a proper upgrade of the system should be considered, as there are many viable solutions in the Siemens portfolio to accommodate large project data storage which could include WinCC Unified PC, or WinCC SCADA options.

If this solution is something that interests you, please reach out to us through our "Get in Touch" page for inquiries and how we can integrate data storage into your system.