Drives & Controls May 2022

n TECHNOLOGY May 2022 www.drivesncontrols.com 24 AN ISRAELI CYBERSECURITY company claims to have created the world’s first autonomous software that combines OT (operational technology) failure predictions and cybersecurity in a user-friendly, all-in-one package. IXDen’s patented technology analyses data from sensors and industrial equipment to spot anomalies in data transactions that could signal a possible cyberattack or OT failure. The autonomous machine learning (ML) and AI software creates a dynamic behavioural model of each device, both in isolation and as part of interrelated process dependencies. The software monitors all data transactions at the sensor level, spotting any changes in behaviour that might signal a cyberattack or equipment failure. IXDen says its technology in effect creates a biometric identity and multi-factor authentication for industrial equipment. “The vast majority of sensor data is handled by local controllers and most of the time not propagated upward,” explains the company’s vice-president of business development, Shimon Peretz. “Much of the data sent to the Scada system is not raw data from the sensors, but the data that is already processed. As such, its veracity cannot be determined. “The IXDen solution analyses 100% of the data at the physical layer, where it is generated, whether this is on sensors or industrial equipment, enabling real-time detection of OT malfunctions and cyberattacks,” he continues. “This data visibility allows the operation team to validate overall health and reliability of the OT system.” The data is used to summarise OT health in a single numerical score, highlighted by a “traffic light” indicator. Using these values, operations managers can monitor a complete OT system at a glance, and can drill down on the root causes of problems. IXDen’s software has already been installed at Israel’s national water company Mekorot, where its ability to predict OT failures could save the utility millions of dollars every year. Mekorot's network includes 13,000km of pipelines, 3,000 water production plants, 25 desalination sites – and millions of sensors. The software is helping to detect anomalies in this network to improve predictive maintenance and cybersecurity. It has been able to predict failures many days in advance – in some cases, up to 60 days before an event occurs. These failures were not detected by systems that Mekorot already had in place. “With the successful launch of our software solution in Israel gaining more attention, we are working on expanding our market to the US and Europe,” says Zion Harel, IXDen’s cofounder and co-CEO. “We are happy to continue our global expansion to enable OT failure prediction and cybersecurity while helping companies in the utilities, defence and smart building industries save millions.” https://ixden.com Software is ‘first’ to combine OT failure prediction with cybersecurity IXDen co-founder Zion Harel: helping companies to save millions MITSUBISHI HAS developed a 3D simulation tool that helps to design and construct production facilities. The Melsoft Gemini digital twin tool can simulate the operation of these facilities before they are actually installed and operated. Mitsubishi says that restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic have made it difficult for manufacturers to install and maintain production facilities. At the same time, there has been a move towards digitalising factories. These trends have highlighted the use of digital technologies to solve issues. The new tool is intended to streamline processes by using digital techniques to simulate the operation of production facilities before they are built. The PC-based tool connects to industrial hardware and software to help visualise and simulate manufacturing processes ranging from designing production facilities, to operating and maintaining them. The system supports around 2,500 types of production equipment including robots, conveyors and processing machinery, which can be combined in simulated 3D production environments using drag-and-drop operation. Various parameters can be set on 3D screens to alter the layout of the production lines. The tool connects to simulators, which are available separately as part of Mitsubishi’s Melsoft iQWorks software, to replicate the control of devices such as PLCs and servo-based motion controllers. If an error is found during the verification process, engineers can check the status of planned production facilities by viewing PLC sequence programs, or by looking at displays of operational waveforms and/or video data. The tool connects directly to the Melsoft simulators and factory devices without needing to go via an OPC server. According to Mitsubishi, this allows 3D data to be updated about 12 times faster than would be possible in an OPC environment. Detailed checks for possible operational interference can also reduce the need for reworking, as well as helping to improve quality. During a plant’s operation and maintenance phases, the Melsoft Gemini tool presents information to the line operators to help them determine the causes of any abnormal events. www.mitsubishielectric.com n 3D digital twin tool will streamline production plant design and operation