Bosch Leads European IIC Testbed, Pioneering Connected Tool Technology for Manufacturing Excellence

Smart industrial tools – connected industrial tools enhance factory quality. A joint effort by Bosch and three global Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) members is advancing tool connectivity to boost manufacturing quality and efficiency.

Elevating Quality and Efficiency in Manufacturing

Through the “Track and Trace” initiative, Bosch and its IIC partners are unlocking the full potential of connected tooling. The first tangible outcome is pinpointing the position of a cordless nutrunner on the shop floor with unprecedented accuracy, enabling precise torque application for safety‑critical fasteners.

Track and Trace Project

Track and Trace gathers real‑time positioning data from nutrunners and automatically selects the optimal torque for each task. This guarantees that safety‑relevant screws receive the exact force required and automatically logs the settings for quality assurance. By adopting open standards, the project lays the groundwork for integrating drills, tighteners, measurement tools, and soldering equipment into a cohesive network of industrial power tools.

Innovative Solution for Enhanced Efficiency and Competitiveness

“No other solution exists that offers this level of integration,” says Dirk Slama, Bosch project manager. The collaboration involves Indian IT firm Tech Mahindra, U.S. technology leader Cisco, and National Instruments, a provider of automation and measurement systems. Together they have established the first European IIC testbed.

Connecting tools to one another and to production data unlocks a host of benefits. With the tool’s location and the component’s precise position known—such as a vertical stabilizer on an aircraft—backend software can issue the exact torque command. This not only improves product safety and quality but also boosts production efficiency, strengthening competitiveness. Continuous data collection offers a real‑time overview of tool health, enabling proactive maintenance such as scheduled wear‑part replacement.

Reduce Errors, Enhance Safety

High‑precision assembly is critical for machinery, vehicles, and aircraft. Correct torque application is governed by stringent regulations, varying by component. Connected tools streamline this labor‑intensive process: they record torque values for every screw, store the data in a central database, and quickly flag any deviations. If a worker attempts to use a tool in an inappropriate context, the tool shuts down automatically, preventing mistakes and improving safety.

Open Standards Enable Universal Adoption

Open standards ensure that any brand or type of industrial power tool—drill, tightener, measurer, riveter, or solder—can be integrated into the connected system. A central computer platform manages and regulates tool operations. The testbed demonstrates cross‑industry collaboration, combining hardware, software, localization technology, backend integration, and safety features into a unified architecture that also supports advanced data analytics.

International Collaboration Drives Connectivity Advances

Each partner brings distinct expertise to the project: Bosch supplies the Nexo cordless nutrunner and Bosch.IO’s IoT Suite for data acquisition and analysis; National Instruments links power tools; Tech Mahindra handles application programming; and Cisco provides precise location identification via wireless triangulation. Pilot testing is underway in Berlin and Bangalore, with plans to deploy initial industrial use cases in 2015.

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