DE102015119852A1 - Method for producing a product using an RFID transponder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a product by a production machine (2, 2 '), wherein the production machine (2, 2') a tool and / or semi-finished product (7) is supplied, wherein the tool and / or semi-finished ( 7) is connected to an identification means (8) and / or are stored on the identification means (8) encrypted data for the production of the product.
The invention also relates to a system comprising a production machine (2, 2 ') having a switching unit (10) with a volatile memory module (4) and a persistent memory module (5), a reading interface (6) and a tool and / or semi-finished product (7 ) having an identification means (8) with a memory module (9), wherein encrypted data and unencrypted data are stored on the memory module (9) of the identification means (8) in the persistent memory module (5, 11) of the production machine (2, 2 ') a certificate is stored with which the unencrypted data of the memory module (9) of the identification means can be decrypted.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a product by a production machine according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention further relates to a system consisting of a production machine with a control unit with a volatile and a persistent memory module, a read interface and a tool and / or semi-finished product having an identification means with a memory module according to independent claim 8.

Such methods and systems are used for the production of various goods. As production machines, for example, injection molding machines or PLC controlled machines come into consideration.

State of the art

The DE 10 2012 004 059 A1 shows a method of manufacturing a vehicle. The vehicle is located on a height-adjustable platform and includes an RFID reader. When approaching a workstation, an RFID transponder is read out, which contains data on the appropriate working height, which is then set by the platform accordingly.

In the above method, the data on the RFID transponder is used to improve a process flow. The actual production data are still stored on the respective processing stations. If the product changes, the processing stations must be adapted accordingly.

task

The object of the invention is to propose a method for the production of a product in which manufacturing machines can be used more flexibly for the production of different products.

The object is solved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The idea of the invention relates to having products manufactured in central production centers. In such production centers are manufacturing machines for a variety of products. The individual production machines can also be interconnected and perform individual production steps sequentially. An owner of such a production center is also called a contract manufacturer.

The operator of such machining centers offers a machine hour as a service. The know-how about the production process remains with the client or rather with the customer or the manufacturer.

It is possible to load the data required for the production of the respective products via an externally accessible network, for example via Internet access, to the respective production machines. However, such external networks are not secure. Some companies have the desire to protect themselves as effectively as possible from industrial espionage while at the same time using effective manufacturing processes. The proposed method offers a solution here.

The method according to the invention is intended for the production of a product by a production machine. This may be, for example, a plastic article which is produced by injection molding by injection molding. But it can also be another product that is produced using a PLC-controlled or a CNC machine.

The production machine is supplied to a tool and / or semi-finished product. The tool may be, for example, an injection mold or a milling head. The tool and / or semi-finished product is connected or equipped with an identification means. The identification means stores encrypted data for the production of the product. These encrypted data are so-called production data. This production data contains all the information that the production machine needs to produce the desired product. This production data includes a know-how which should remain in the possession of the product manufacturer.

The production machine has at least one memory module and a read interface. The read interface reads the encrypted data stored on the identification means and stores them in the memory module of the production machine.

The production machine has a control unit that derives production steps from the production data and adjusts and enables the production machine to produce the desired product.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention are on the identification means encrypted data and unencrypted data stored. In addition, at least one certificate is stored on a memory module of the production machine. The certificate is provided by the manufacturer of the product. For the purposes of the present specification, the manufacturer of the product is the person who developed the product and devised the production data. The certificate will only be made available by the manufacturer to owners of machinery that is considered as trusted by the manufacturer. For this classification, the manufacturer can use different criteria, which are not explained here.

Advantageously, the encrypted data is decrypted using the certificate and the unencrypted data. The unencrypted data includes information about a decryption routine that is activated via the certificate. Subsequently, the decrypted data, ie the production data, stored in a volatile memory module of the production machine. It is particularly useful to save the manufacturing data in the volatile memory module. Thus, the sensitive data is not stored long term.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the unencrypted data on the RFID transponder contains information which encryption routine and / or which certificate is required for decrypting the encrypted data.

Preferably, on the machine or the switching unit is an encryption routine that can be activated with the information contained on the RFID transponder and the certificate. Using the encryption routine, the encrypted data on the RFID transponder can be read out and evaluated and converted into production data. Using the manufacturing data, the machine can produce a desired product.

As mentioned above, the encrypted data is manufacturing data needed to manufacture the product. The production data is deleted from the volatile memory module after the completion of a production order. The length of a production order is specified by the manufacturer and includes, for example as information, the number of products to be manufactured.

The so-called Usermemory on an RFID tag is divided into two parts. An unencrypted part contains information about the program code contained in the encrypted data. The encrypted part contains the manufacturing data. With the help of the unencrypted data and a certificate stored on the production machine, the production data can be decrypted and integrated into a manufacturing program of the production machine.

The manufacturing program controls the manufacturing machine during the manufacturing process and also ensures that the manufacturer's manufacturing data is deleted after the manufacturing process is complete. The manufacturing data, which receive the know-how of the customer, are automatically integrated into the software of a contract manufacturer via the RFID transponder. In the process the know-how of the customer is protected throughout.

In order to be able to carry out the above manufacturing method, a system comprising a production machine with a control unit with a volatile and a persistent memory module, a read interface and a tool and / or semi-finished product with an identification means with a memory module is required.

Alternatively, a system may consist of a production machine with a control unit and a switching unit with a volatile and a persistent memory module, a read interface and a tool and / or semi-finished product with an identification means with a memory module. The switching unit evaluates the data on the RFID transponder and communicates with the control unit of the machine, in particular during the production of the desired product.

Encrypted data and unencrypted data are stored on the memory module of the identification means. In the persistent memory module of the control unit, preferably in a TPM chip, a certificate is stored by means of which the unencrypted data of the memory module of the identification means can be decrypted. The certificate is supplied by the manufacturer or the owner of the tool and / or semi-finished product. The certificate may be changed from time to time. If a contract manufacturer loses the trust of the manufacturer, the certificate does not have to be revoked until it has expired or is no longer up-to-date.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the identification means is an RFID transponder and the reading interface is an RFID reader. These components are inexpensive and can be easily retrofitted if necessary.

Advantageously, the volatile memory device is a RAM memory and the persistent memory device is a flash memory device. Memory or an SSD hard drive. These storage media are particularly reliable.

It is particularly advantageous if the memory module of the identification means contains encrypted data and unencrypted data. The unencrypted data includes a routine or information about a routine to be used for decrypting the encrypted data. The certificate stored on the production machine is required to complete or use the decryption routine. Even if the semi-finished product or tool falls into the wrong hands, this ensures that only order manufacturers with a certificate can decrypt and read out the customer-specific data, ie the encrypted data on the RFID transponder. The manufacturer of a product that uses the service of the contract manufacturers, by the present invention, a high degree of security for its know-how.

embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. It shows:

1 a schematic representation of a system suitable for the production of a product and

2 an alternative system suitable for the manufacture of a product.

The figure contains partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, identical reference numerals are used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a system consisting of a production machine 2 with a control unit with a volatile memory module 4 and a persistent storage device 5 , a reading interface 6 and a tool and / or semi-finished product 7 with an identification means 8th with a memory module 9 ,

In an alternative embodiment, a switching unit 10 be provided, the information between the read interface 6 and the production machine 2 or its control unit 3 exchanges. The exchange unit 10 acts as a translator of the data on the means of identification 8th of the tool or semi-finished product 7 are stored.

Without departing from the inventive concept, the switching unit 10 also as part of the production machine 2 be considered. In the following, for such a fitted production machine, the reference numeral 2 ' used.

From a manufacturer is a semi-finished and / or tool 7 with an identification means 8th Mistake. As a rule, it will be the identification means 8th to act an RFID transponder. The RFID transponder 8th is with a memory chip 9 fitted. On the memory module 9 Both unencrypted data and encrypted data are stored. The encrypted data contains information such as a product with the semifinished product or tool 7 can be produced. These are sensitive data from the manufacturer, which it has generated in complex procedures or test runs. Of course, the manufacturer wants to keep this valuable know-how secret.

For the purposes of the present invention, the manufacturer is the owner of the tool or semi-finished product 7 designated. He is usually responsible for placing the products on the market. A contract manufacturer is a legal entity that owns the manufacturing machine 2 . 2 ' , usually several different ones, for the manufacturer on a fee basis provides.

A contract manufacturer can have several certificates for several different products and also different certificates from different manufacturers or customers. This makes efficient use of the machinery. The manufacturers or customers have the advantage that they do not have to buy their own machines, for example, for small quantities.

If the semi-finished product or tool 7 at the manufacturing machine 2 . 2 ' arrived and grown there are in the memory module 9 of the RFID transponder existing data from the read interface 6 read. In the persistent memory block 5 the production machine 2 or in the persistent memory module 11 the switching unit 10 a certificate is stored, which was made available in advance to the contract manufacturer by the manufacturer. With the help of the certificate, the unencrypted data of the RFID transponder can be used to read out the encrypted data on the RFID transponder and to generate a production program therefrom which is stored in the volatile memory module 4 the production machine is stored. The manufacturing program is controlled by the control unit 3 the production machine 2 . 2 ' implemented. Using the manufacturing program becomes the manufacturing machine 2 . 2 ' capable of producing a product desired by the manufacturer.

The exchange unit 10 is equipped with a so-called TPM chip. This chip is equipped with special security features that can prevent unwanted data capture.

If the contract manufacturer has generated the desired number of products for the manufacturer, according to the production order, the production program and the production data are taken from the relevant memory components of the production machine 2 . 2 ' deleted. The switching unit ideally ensures this 10 , In 2 an alternative system is shown which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method of manufacturing a product disclosed above.

The system consists of a production machine 2 with a control unit 3 and a switching unit 10 , a reading interface 6 and a tool and / or semi-finished product 7 with an identification means 8th with a memory module 9 ,

In the system proposed here, the switching unit is 10 with a volatile memory chip 4 and a persistent storage device 5 and a TPM chip 12 fitted.

Again, the exchange unit 10 as part of the machine 2 be understood. Such a machine bears the reference numeral 2 ' ,

From a manufacturer is a semi-finished and / or tool 7 with an identification means 8th Mistake. As a rule, it will be the identification means 8th to act an RFID transponder. The RFID transponder 8th is with a memory chip 9 fitted. On the memory module 9 Both unencrypted data and encrypted data are stored. The encrypted data contains information such as a product with the semifinished product or tool 7 can be produced. These are sensitive data from the manufacturer, which it has generated in complex procedures or test runs. Of course, the manufacturer wants to keep this valuable know-how secret.

If the semi-finished product or tool 7 at the manufacturing machine 2 . 2 ' arrived and grown there are in the memory module 9 of the RFID transponder existing data from the read interface 6 read.

In the persistent memory block 5 the switching unit 10 a decryption routine is stored, which, along with the pre-made by the manufacturer and on the TPM chip 12 stored certificate, data can decrypt.

The unencrypted data on the RFID transponder contains the information which certificate is to be used. The information is a string.

In the persistent memory block 5 stored decryption routines are, for example, the so-called Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Using the certificate, the AES can be used to evaluate or decrypt the encrypted data on the RFID transponder and to generate a production program from it, which is stored in the volatile memory module 4 the switching unit 10 is stored.

The exchange unit 10 communicates with the control unit 3 the machine. The manufacturing program is controlled by the control unit 3 the production machine 2 . 2 ' implemented. Using the manufacturing program becomes the manufacturing machine 2 . 2 ' capable of producing a product desired by the manufacturer.

The exchange unit 10 is with a so-called TPM chip 12 fitted. This chip is equipped with special security features that can prevent unwanted data capture.

Once the contract manufacturer has generated the desired number of products for the manufacturer, according to the production order, the production program and the production data are taken from the relevant storage units of the switching unit 10 or the production machine 2 ' deleted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 system

2

 production machine

3

 control unit

4

 Volatile memory module

5

 Persistent storage device

6

 Read interface

7

 Tools / semifinished

8th

 identifying means

9

 memory chip

10

 switching unit

11

 memory chip

12

 TPM chip

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102012004059 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Method for producing a product by a production machine ( 2 . 2 ' ), - whereby the production machine ( 2 . 2 ' ) a tool and / or semi-finished product ( 7 ), - wherein the tool and / or semi-finished product ( 7 ) with an identification means ( 8th ) and are connected to the identification means ( 8th ) encrypted data are stored for the production of the product. Process for producing a product according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - the production machine ( 2 . 2 ' ) a switching unit ( 10 ) with at least one memory module ( 4 ) and a read interface ( 6 ), that - the read interface ( 6 ) on the identification means ( 8th stored encrypted data and stored in the memory module ( 4 ) stores. Method for producing a product according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reading interface ( 6 ) on the identification means ( 8th stored encrypted data and stored in a volatile memory device ( 4 ) stores. Method for producing a product according to claim 1, characterized in that - the reading interface ( 6 ) on the identification means ( 8th read encrypted data - that the encrypted data is converted into manufacturing data and - that the manufacturing data in a volatile memory device ( 4 ) get saved. Method for producing a product according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that - on the identification means ( 8th ) encrypted data and unencrypted data are stored and - that on a persistent memory device ( 5 ) at least one certificate is stored. Method for producing a product according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - the unencrypted data contains information about a certificate - that the encrypted data is decrypted by means of the certificate and - that the production data is stored in the volatile memory module ( 4 ) get saved. Method for the production of a product according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - the production data for the production of the product are required and - that the production data after completion of a production order from the volatile memory module ( 4 ) to be deleted. System consisting of - a production machine ( 2 . 2 ' ), - a switching unit ( 10 ) with a volatile memory device ( 4 ) and a persistent memory device ( 5 ), a read interface ( 6 ) and - a tool and / or semi-finished product ( 7 ) with an identification means ( 8th ) with a memory module ( 9 ), wherein on the memory module ( 9 ) of the identification means ( 8th ) encrypted data and unencrypted data are stored, wherein in the persistent memory module ( 5 ) of the switching unit ( 10 ) at least one certificate is stored and in the memory module ( 9 ) of the identification means ( 8th ) Information about the certificate to be used is stored, whereby the encrypted data of the memory module ( 9 ) of the identification means can be deciphered. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the identification means ( 8th ) around an RFID transponder and at the reading interface ( 6 ) is an RFID reader. System according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the switching unit ( 10 ) a TPM chip ( 12 ) having.

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