The VDMA Robotics + Automation association published the first OPC UA specification for interoperable communication in the integrated assembly solutions industry.
"With Part 1 of the OPC 40451-1 UA CS for tightening systems now available, we have laid the foundation for seamless integration of tightening systems into digital production in the shape of the Industrial Internet of Things," said Mohit Agarwal, a member of the working group. "More parts will follow to enable additional use cases via OPC UA and enable a long-term vision to make interoperable, harmonized models across joining technologies and other domains."
Andreas Faath, head of VDMA machine information interoperability, added: "With this, another important chapter of the world language of production is published and even cross-industry interoperability is realized by using the basic specification OPC UA for Machinery.”
Stefan Hoppe, president and CEO of the OPC Foundation, said: "The publication of the Tightening Systems Companion Specification marks another important contribution by VDMA to the global language of production: standardized information paired with OPC UA-based technology are combined to deliver semantic interoperability as the basis for digitization."
Part 1 of the Companion Specification deals with three use cases: asset management, condition monitoring and result management. The information model enables vendor-independent access to asset information of the entire tightening system, including components such as the tool, controller and feeding unit, etc.
The Tightening Systems group is part of the larger industrial joining technologies initiative, which aims to describe common information models which are reusable for the joining domain, including gluing, riveting, flow drill fastening, etc.
