OPC UA for Machine Tools integrates inventory systems

New specification now also includes important shop floor data and KPIs

20:02:27 | 2022-08-14

 

 

 

A new version of the OPC UA for Ma-chine Tools Companion Specification has recently been released. The Joint Working Group of the OPC Foundation is supported by the VDW and has pro-duced a supplement that now makes it possible to integrate existing inventory systems. The collection of important operating data and KPIs gives rise to fur-ther advantages. Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of the VDW, is pleased with the progress: "The update of the specification for machine tools sees us pass a further important milestone. This will make the use of the Com-panion Specifications even more attractive in the future and ensure greater ac-ceptance among industry clients. We hope to be able to provide demonstra-tions at the upcoming trade fairs. Our umati connectivity initiative showcases the open data exchange in a tangible form and naturally plays an important role in this."
Numerous OPC UA Companion Specifications for machine and plant engi-neering are currently being developed at great pace. They enable open inter-face standards based on OPC UA to be used between machines, devices and software and are being developed into a global production language under the leadership of the VDMA. Just under 50 such specifications have already been published or are currently under development. However, before the exchange of data via existing interfaces or systems can be translated into new, open standards, it is becoming clear, however, that future-proof technologies such 

as OPC UA must first be broadly established on the market. This applies in particular to shop floor and machine data collection (SFDC and MDC), which are well established in the automotive industry. In most cases, however, cus-tomers apply their own in-house standards, which is an obstacle to wide-spread standardization.
Widespread standardization based on established systems
The new extension of the OPC UA for Machine Tools Companion Specification addresses this dilemma. The first version concentrated on the global monitor-ing of machine tool status, whereas the focus of the next step, version 1.01.1, is on collecting important operating data and key performance indicators (KPIs). The update is available now from the umati website: https://umati.org/ua4mt.
The large number of company representatives involved in the process made it possible to incorporate their experience with all the different SFDC/MDC sys-tems used by customers. Finally, almost all parameters that are currently used in these systems are included in the KPI extension. This makes it possible to use shop floor data in an OPC UA ecosystem through simple mapping or, dur-ing a transitional phase, also vice versa. Current initiatives such as the "Ca-tena-X" automotive network are clearly pointing the way toward integrative, platform-based ecosystems that will replace proprietary installations in the me-dium term.
Now that this milestone has been reached, Dr. Alexander Broos, Head of Re-search and Technology at the VDW, already has his sights firmly set on the next steps: "We plan to upgrade our umati demonstrator to include “pub/sub” (publish/subscribe) technology in the fourth quarter of 2022. This further sim-plifies the connection of machines and software by a significant degree yet also considerably increases the added value of the interfaces for cloud de-vices." Other upcoming developments include energy monitoring, job manage-ment and machine tending. All three are currently being developed by the OPC UA for Machinery working group in conjunction with the VDMA as part of 

the harmonization efforts. In addition, an independent working group for addi-tive manufacturing is to be established in the coming months. A new subgroup of the existing machine tool group has also been set up for forming technol-ogy.
Anyone wishing to view for themselves the benefits of a common world lan-guage of production for machine tool manufacturing and its customers, can do so at a series of international trade fairs starting in September. umati will have its own stand and be inviting visitors to live demonstrations and "Meet the Ex-perts" meetings at IMTS in Chicago (Sept. 12-17, 2022, West Hall (Lakeside), Level 3), at AMB in Stuttgart, Sept. 13-17, 2022 (Hall 10, Stand 10A75) and at Jimtof in Tokyo (Nov. 8-13, 2022, umati stand in East Hall 8, Stand E8016). Under the direction of the VDMA, umati will also be present at other trade fairs.

World Media Group (WMG) News Service

 

 

 

World Media Group (WMG) Haber Servisi




ETİKET :   opc-ua

Tümü