In the next installment of our Investing in 5G: Portfolio Spotlight Series, we spoke with CEO and Founder of CoreTigo, Eran Zigman to learn more about CoreTigo’s impact on the industrial space and the important role 5G plays in providing wireless communication between devices in factories.
Tell us about your company: How have CoreTigo’s high-performance IO-Link Wireless Communication solutions helped your industry?
CoreTigo provides wireless mission-critical solutions designed for factory automation. The wireless network solutions currently on the market don’t meet the demands of the modern factory floor. Our products address the true need for wireless communication of sensors, actuators and devices at the floor level. Our cable-grade wireless solutions are fit for the harsh industrial automation demands of low latency, high reliability and scalability.
CoreTigo’s technology is based on the IO-Link Wireless communication standard (an extension of the IO-Link standard), which addresses the need for wireless communication between sensors, actuators and controllers. IO-Link Wireless lowers deployment and cabling costs, provides unlimited flexibility and mobility and allows for more applications than cables or traditional wireless systems. CoreTigo’s products work across a variety of industries and applications to drive operational efficiency, adaptive manufacturing, higher availability and greater intelligence to manage the business. Some applications include:
Transport Tracks: CoreTigo’s solutions can enable product processing even when machines are in constant motion, which eliminates changeover and tooling set up, reducing downtime and enabling adaptive production lines.
Intelligent Tooling: CNC, milling & grinding machines require constant data transmission while moving at high speeds in harsh environments with extreme conditions. An industrial wireless solution enables ongoing data collection to enable predictive maintenance, data analysis and machine optimization.
Robots/Cobots/Rotary Tables: A wireless solution eliminates the previously-required cables and accessories, thus increasing flexibility, reducing maintenance costs and unexpected downtime.
Machine Retrofit: Wireless connectivity enables simple and cost-effective retrofit and revamp of numerous devices on existing machines, simplifies relocation and upgrades and new machine deployment.
How do you utilize 5G? How has it further developed, your company’s mission to bring all the capabilities of wired technology to a wireless, cloud-enabled world?
As smart machines and processes continue to evolve, the development of wireless industrial communication is key in the advancement of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). CoreTigo’s IO-Link Wireless solutions are an integral ingredient in the convergence of IT and OT, driven forward by 5G global wireless communication. CoreTigo's technology, coupled with 5G and Multi-Access Edge Computing, brings the power of data to manufacturers in a cost-effective, reliable and flexible manner. IO-Link Wireless is an integral part of the advancement of the wireless standard for Factory Automation used by machine builders and automation equipment manufacturers. Wireless communication continuity throughout the entire industrial enterprise is critical for taking operational excellence to the next level.
What’s a common misconception of 5G that you’ve found to be inaccurate? How should (consumer and enterprise) entrepreneurs be thinking about 5G in your industry?
The common misconception is that 5G solutions are mainly geared for the consumer-based mobile phone market and not fit for the industrial space. However, enterprises should think about 5G as part of a complete wireless communication strategy for industrial enterprises. As an example, IO-Link Wireless completely co-exists with 5G networks. Coupled together, these create a continuum of wireless communication throughout the industrial enterprise that can cope with a broad range of industrial applications.
Do you have any tips for founders looking to innovate manufacturing solutions?
Don’t just focus on your technology. Rather, think about how you can provide complete and integrated solutions that impact the entire industrial ecosystem, including the machine builders, the automation equipment vendors, system integrators and the manufacturing plants.
Also, maintain your connections at every step of the way. The network you develop through your strategic and financial investors and stakeholders will help you educate the market, and get connected to key industry players and potential customers.
CEO and Founder of CoreTigo, Eran Zigman
