Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is an open interface standard that defines the mechanisms of collaboration in an industrial environment. It enables mechanical and plant engineering to connect production digitally. Together with its member companies, the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) develops so-called OPC UA Companion Specifications – standardized and expandable information models for a wide variety of applications.
Since the end of 2018, WIKA Mobile Control has been part of this consortium for the further development of Industry 4.0 communication for bridge and gantry cranes based on the OPC UA standard – a premiere in the field of mobile machines. But what is the added value for the customer? With Companion Specifications for bridge and gantry cranes, a standardized data interface can be created for a large number of different applications, such as condition monitoring or predictive maintenance. This means more independence from manufacturer-specific interface definitions resulting in efficiency gains for the setup, operation, maintenance and further development of automated systems. Together with the VDMA and other participating companies, WIKA Mobile Control is working at full speed to make the highly complex world of automation a simpler place!
Customers from the bridge and gantry crane market, as well as those from other areas of application, should benefit from the great possibilities of standardization in automation. For this reason WIKA Mobile Control cooperates with the Open Source Automation Development Lab (OSADL). The registered association promotes the development of open source software in mechanical engineering and plant construction for the automation industry. Various projects have already been initiated for this purpose – including the OPC UA/TSN project. This project focuses on standard interfaces in real-time critical applications and is of high relevance for customers and partners of WIKA Mobile Control. As a sponsor, WIKA Mobile Control is investing in this project and is working together with other project participants to achieve greater efficiency through standardization – and to make tomorrow's automated processes even simpler!
