Software for OPC and IoT cloud.

OPC Suite provides access to SINUMERIC 840D CNC machines

Softing Industrial Automation has released the latest version V5.35 of dataFEED OPC Suite to offer comprehensive support for SINUMERIK 840D CNC machines as well as the integration of web services.

The dataFEED OPC Suite combines software solutions for OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) and OPC Classic communication as well as IoT cloud connection in a single product. With the new SINUMERIC 840D support in the dataFEED OPC Suite V5.35, users can read out all process parameters from the Numerical Control (NC) part, the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) part, and the drive data of the machines without having to interfere with the machine configuration.

"The new support for SINUMERIK 840D CNC machines and the web services feature add two important features to our dataFEED OPC Suite. We see great potential to make the suite accessible to a wider range of users, especially concerning the support of SINUMERIK 840D," explained Andreas Röck, Product Manager at Softing Industrial Automation. "With this development, we have reached another milestone in fulfilling our claim of providing an all-in-one solution for secure and robust OPC communication and IoT cloud integration."

Another new feature of version 5.35 is the web services functionality, which enables direct access to production data via web client applications such as Web Browser, Postman, or Client for URL (cURL) and its integration into IT solutions.

The features of the new dataFEED OPC Suite V5.35 in detail:
• Full support for SINUMERIK 840D Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machines:
The dataFEED OPC Suite can be used to read axis, tool, and program data as well as alarms from the NC section. Status, program sections, and alarms can be read from the PLC section. It is also possible to read out the drive data. Data is recorded without affecting the machine configuration.

• Integration with SIMATIC Siemens S7-300:
The suite offers a seamless connection to the integrated SIMATIC Siemens S7-300 for comprehensive control and monitoring.

• Versatile application possibilities of the dataFEED OPC Server CNC:
The server can be used as an OPC Classic Server or OPC UA Server and enables the seamless integration of Siemens SINUMERIK CNC controllers into modern Industry 4.0 solutions.

• Provision of production data:
The suite enables the provision of production data via the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) or Representational State Transfer (REST) protocols and their transfer to IoT Cloud or Big Data applications on platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS and Siemens MindSphere. The data is subsequently available for various applications such as condition monitoring, predictive maintenance and evaluation.

• Integration of production data in IT solutions via web services

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@SoftingIA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Manufacturing

Device management for mobile and OPC UA applications.

The FDT Group™ has announced certification of its first Device Specific DTM based on the latest FDT 3.0 standard supporting the HART protocol from Flowserve Corporation. The newest certified Logix 3820 Series DTM is deployable using their positioners supporting HART 6 / 7, tackling flow control challenges designed for modern IIoT architectures.

FDT DTM certification to the FDT 3.0 specification and webUI is a process whereby rigorous compliance testing using dtmINSPECTOR5 ensures the viability of the states of the DTM; its correct installation, de-installation, and multi-user environment capability; mandatory and optional user interface functionality and robustness; network scanning communication performance and the ability to import and export the topology; and the audit trail capability.

“Flowserve is proud to be the first vendor to offer a software-based webUI DTM based on FDT 3.0.” Says Manjunath Atchutanna, global digital technology manager at Flowserve Corporation. “The industry is transformative with flow control applications designated as critical control. Our new DTM* meets modern use case challenges that extend standardized device management for valve control to mobile solutions and other higher-level applications using OPC UA, enabling service-oriented maintenance scenarios.”

FDT 3.0 DTMs are crucial to unlocking universal device integration with essential advantages such as platform independence, mobility solutions, and a contemporary development environment to reduce costs and expedite the DTM certification process. Users can use secure and seamless data exchange/interrogation from the sensor to the cloud and achieve new levels of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) integration.

“This certification is a milestone in market penetration and technology development,” says Steve Biegacki, FDT Group managing director. “Flowserve has always been a leader in flow control using DTM technology and now offers the first flow control management DTM standardized for IIoT architectures based on FDT 3.0 for HART applications. HART users can deploy this new DTM and reap the benefits by using an FDT 3.0-based device management tool, such as PACTware 6.1, and can enjoy an IT/OT data-centric model by deploying an FDT Server, extending the data reach to mobile applications and the enterprise.”

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* The DTM can be downloaded from Flowserve’s website.

@FDTGroup @Flowserve #PAuto 

Greater security for OPC Classic communication.

Now with an OPC UA tunnel to increase security for OPC Classic communication plus support for InfluxDB databases.

The dataFEED OPC UA Tunnel is a new component of Softing Industrial's dataFEED OPC Suite. It enables easy and secure access to OPC Classic servers across network boundaries and firewalls. A DCOM configuration is no longer required. Configuration of the two tunnel ends is quick and easy using Export/Import. 

The security mechanisms of the OPC UA standard, which include authentication of users by means of certificates as well as signing and encryption of data, ensure maximum protection. The suite currently supports up to 50 OPC UA tunnel connections.

Process data storage in Influx DB databases.
With version 5.30 dataFEED OPC Suite offers the possibility to store process data in an InfluxDB for subsequent processing and analysis. InfluxDB is one of the most widely used NoSQL databases. It ensures extensive scalability, high availability as well as fast writing and reading.

All-in-one data integration solution.
dataFEED OPC Suite Extended is a complete package for OPC communication and cloud connectivity, providing access to the controllers of leading manufacturers and to IoT devices. The suite acts as a gateway between the two OPC standards, allowing the integration of existing OPC Classic components and applications into modern Industry 4.0 OPC UA solutions.

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@SoftingIA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

PLC controllers.

Simplified programming, support for multiple communication protocols for industrial control systems 

Delta is introducing the compact, mid-range AX-300N and AX-324N PLC controllers. 

These AX-3 series controllers offer a CODESYS development environment to enable intelligent industrial automation applications. Compatibility with Delta AS Series IO products and support for a broad range of industrial communication protocols including PLCopen v1.0 function blocks, Ethernet/IP, and OPC UA server ensure compatibility across a wide range of automation applications such as packaging, food and beverages, ceramics, textiles, and energy.

For distributed RIO or conventional setups.
The new PLC controllers expand Delta’s product portfolio, offering customers more options both for conventional control systems with I/O capabilities integrated into the controller as well as distributed remote input/output (distributed RIO) setups.

The AX-300N is a cost-effective solution that provides compatibility with the complete Delta AS-Series IO portfolio. It’s well-suited to distributed RIO environments which can offer considerable advantages including savings on cabling, easier scalability, and greater system design flexibility.

The AX-300N and AX-324N at a glance • High performance processing with high data capacity and execution speed • AS module compatibility for access to Delta’s comprehensive IO portfolio • Support for major fieldbus technologies simplifies integration of 3rd-party devices • Cost-effective access to CODESYS-based motion control

For conventional installations, the AX-324N offers 16 integrated digital inputs, 8 digital outputs, and 6 HSC channels at 200 kHz. Both models provide dual Ethernet ports with support for EtherNet /IP (scanner/ adapter) and OPC UA server.

High-performance CPU and broad protocol support.
With the most recent update, the high-performance CPU inside both the AX-300N and AX-324N provides support for FTP/SFTP, MQTT, Profinet Slave and IOLink communications protocols. These communications features now make it possible to import third-party CODESYS.

Faster time-to-market with DIADesigner-AX.
DIADesigner-AX software integrates CODESYS into Delta’s DIAStudio software platform. The environment provides support from the planning stage through execution and commissioning. It simplifies the implementation of both simple and complex motion control, including single- and multi-axis movements, gearing, ECAMs and interpolation. It also helps to ensure compliance with international standards such as IEC 61131-3 and PLCopen. Software developers will benefit from integrated tools including an oscilloscope, simulator, and CAM editor.

@DeltaEMEA @Delta_Americas @mepaxIntPR #deltaww #PAuto

Industrial connectivity roadshow for Ireland.

MatrikonOPC will be in Ireland visiting companies next month (On April 25th, 26th and 27th, 2023). They are scheduling private presentations and welcome expressions of interest.

The purpose of this visit is to present their new IoT Connectivity Solutions for Industry 4.0 projects, clarify doubts about industrial connectivity protocols and advise about the new trends in terms of data movement. They are dedicated to industrial connectivity projects based on different protocols like OPC, MQTT, REST, etc

Interested parties may sign up directly here: Matrikon Roadshow 2023 in Ireland.

@MatrikonOPC #Pauto #IoT #Ireland

Access to process data available via XML files.

dataFEED OPC Suite Extended, from Softing Industrial, is an all-in-one solution for OPC communication and cloud connectivity, providing access to controllers and IoT devices of leading manufacturers. With the new File Read functionality, the suite ensures access to brownfield PLCs, devices and machines that deliver data via XML files.

File Read allows process values from XML files to be integrated quickly and securely into production control applications such as MES or OEE via the standard OPC Classic or OPC UA interfaces. The production data can also be integrated into IIoT cloud solutions via MQTT or REST. Furthermore, there is the option of data logging for documentation, analysis, or verification in a separate database.

The dataFEED OPC Suite enables access to the controllers of leading manufacturers such as Siemens SIMATIC S7, Rockwell ControlLogix, B&R, Mitsubishi as well as Modbus controllers (e.g., from Wago). It acts as a gateway between the two OPC standards so that existing OPC Classic components and applications can be integrated into modern OPC UA solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. Production data is transferred to IoT Cloud or Big Data applications via the MQTT and REST protocols. 

The suite supports the storage of production data in a file, in an SQL database, or in MongoDB and CouchDB. Thanks to the extensive data pre-processing functionality, data can be easily and flexibly customized. With OPC UA Reverse Connect functionality, the suite also ensures secure communication between OPC UA components separated by firewalls or DMZs.

@SoftingIA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications 

Additional security for data integration.

Softing enables secure communication between OPC UA components in OT and IT that are separated by firewalls or DMZs with the integration of OPC UA Reverse Connect into its dataFEED OPC Suite Extended V5.22,.

dataFEED OPC Suite Extended is an all-in-one solution for OPC communication and cloud connectivity, providing access to controllers and IoT devices of leading manufacturers. With the new OPC UA Reverse Connect functionality, the suite ensures secure communication between OPC UA components separated by firewalls or DMZs.

Secure connection.
OPC UA Reverse Connect avoids traditional client-server connections where the client establishes the connection to the server. Instead, the server actively connects to the client. This is important for networks where the server is in a protected environment, such as the production network of a factory. There is no need to open firewall ports from the IT network to the OT network. The risk of an attack on the production network is thus eliminated, as the firewall remains closed.

An all-in-one data integration solution.
The dataFEED OPC Suite enables access to the controllers of leading manufacturers such as Siemens SIMATIC S7, Rockwell ControlLogix, B&R, Mitsubishi as well as Modbus controllers (e.g., from Wago). It acts as a gateway between the two OPC standards so that existing OPC Classic components and applications can also be integrated into modern OPC UA solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. Production data is transferred to IoT Cloud or Big Data applications via the MQTT and REST protocols. The suite also supports the storage of production data in a file, in an SQL database, or in MongoDB and CouchDB. Thanks to the extensive data pre-processing functionality, data can be easily and flexibly customized.

@SoftingIA @mepaxIntPR #Communications #CyberSecurity

Control with OPC UA server.

Baumüller uses OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) as an interface for the transmission of data between different nodes, eg visualization or edge controllers, etc. and to this end, has developed a new software tool for communication via the control technology through to the drive level: ProDataX .

OPC UA serves as a common data exchange standard for secure, reliable, manufacturer and platform-independent communication in IoT, M2M and industry 4.0 environments. The requirement for communication between the components of different manufacturers via OPC UA to work is that each device involved in the communication must meet the current specifications of the OPC Foundation.

The company has now implemented the three most important parts of the extensive catalog of OPC UA Foundation specifications for its applications:

• DA (Data Access) for access to machine data and parameters
• Security via certificates, to ensure that only authorized nodes have access to the OPC UA server
• With OPC UA methods , the oscilloscope function of the Baumüller devices can also be used for other suppliers, for example

Control units with OPC UA server
The basic idea of ​​OPC UA is that all hardware manufacturers involved in a system provide an OPC UA server for their components connected to the communication. Baumüller offers the ProDataX software tool for this purpose.

ProDataX provides an OPC UA server interface that can run not only on the Baumüller control hardware but also on standard PCs with the Windows operating system. ProDataX can be configured using the Baumüller ProMaster and ProDrive programming/operating tools.

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@be_in_motion @UnnGmbh @pressebox #PAuto

Valve system with OPC UA.

Emerson's AVENTICS™ Series Advanced Valve (AV) valve system with Advanced Electronic System (AES) Profinet and Ethernet/IP is now available with preinstalled Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA)* functionality, making it the first and only valve system to offer this directly integrated capability. The AES helps users solve interoperability challenges and access data more easily while the integration of the digital twin can improve productivity and efficiency.

“The AVENTICS Series AV System with OPC UA is a notable leap forward in the flexibility and integration of valve systems because it makes the transition to IIoT significantly simpler for engineers,” said Nils Beckmann, senior manager of product marketing, IIoT at Emerson. “With OPC UA, engineers don’t need to change a whole system or architecture to access valve data. They now have the flexibility to continue using their own cloud systems and software to gain easy access to data and analytics without disrupting or modifying the PLC.”
 

A valve system with integrated OPC UA functionality simplifies communication with upper systems since data and analytics are received via the valve system and communicated directly to upper systems, no gateway necessary unless deeper analysis or local dashboards are required. This can result in costs savings for users since it’s more complex and expensive to receive analytics from a valve system without OPC UA.

OPC UA functionality also expands the connected capabilities of the valve system itself, making it easier for users in industries such as automotive, food and beverage, packaging, pulp and paper industries and more to digitally transform. When organizations undergo digital transformation, key protocols such as OPC UA embedded in technologies enable device monitoring and machine connectivity when sending data from a valve system to an upper system. The AES is simple to integrate and connect to new or existing applications and machines and provides easy access to data and analytics without changing the programmable logic controller (PLC).

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*Developed by the OPC Foundation, OPC UA is a platform independent, information technology standard for sensor-to-cloud data exchange that features integrated security.

@AVENTICS @Emerson_News @EmersonExchange @EMR_Automation @opcua #PAuto

Architecture and specification approved.

FDT Group™ and OPC Foundation have announced their memberships have approved the update to the FDT OPC Unified Architecture (UA) companion specification (CS). The new specification launches the only protocol-agnostic, server-level, universal Device Information (DI) Model for both process and discrete manufacturing applications, empowering next-generation, open automation FDT architectures.

The updated FDT OPC UA companion specification is a key technology development unifying data for both IT and OT while enabling the transmission of uniform, real-time process, network, and device information for any OPC UA Client in the enterprise.

FDT Server-based distributed architectures with a built-in, “pre-wired” OPC UA Server seamlessly allow access to all device and network information and metadata via any authenticated OPC UA Client or application. Standard OPC UA browsing techniques are used to expose this information so that authorized OPC UA Clients can connect to the FDT Server to browse, collect, and act on the data as needed. Optional support for a Publish-Subscribe environment allows for efficient, real-time data monitoring and exchange.

“The new companion specification matches the strengths of the FDT 3.0 IIoT platform by harmonizing IT/OT data access for any OPC UA Client supporting smart manufacturing practices,” said Thomas Hadlich, chairman of FDT architecture and specification. “Based on the new OPC UA ‘System Architecture’ template, the updated CS now references OPC UA for Device 1.01 and supports new process device data along with mapping for protocol support files as outlined in FDT 3.0. These important use cases, driven by the automation industry, meet the FDT 3.0 Server architecture requirements and have been strengthened by mapping of Device Type Manager [DTM] static functions and by describing I/O signals for configuration and observation of production process and/or of device performance. The enhancements included in the universal information model will drive industrial automation monitoring and visualization optimization for the enterprise.”

Since 2011, FDT Group and OPC Foundation have collaborated in support of a unified DI model to promote device- and network-level data access in a uniform way for higher-level enterprise applications. The two organizations first announced the release of their joint DI model companion specification in 2016 based on the FDT 2.0 client/server architecture, and as of today, FDT 3.0 Server distributed architectures are supported by a new server-level universal DI model enabling end users to freely mix and match any device with any device information model, from any vendor, and communicate on any network while the FDT Server transparently unifies all the device information and pushes the data to the enterprise for any OPC UA Client in real-time.

“Without interoperability and reliable information, we can’t open automation to innovation,” said Jim Luth, OPC Foundation CTO. “Both OPC Foundation and FDT Group are key industry organizations and leaders in their respective IT and OT interoperability and data domains. Harmonization introduced via the collaborative universal device information model in the new FDT OPC UA companion specification solidifies IT/OT convergence and the path opening automation innovation for both the process and discrete markets. The result empowers a data-centric powerhouse core for any application, allowing the industry to evolve manufacturing best practices with a service-oriented architecture securing the exchange of data to effectively make use of valuable information.”

FDT’s secure, data-centric platform runs behind the scenes at the core of any automation architecture, harmonizing technologies, solutions, and people for today’s infrastructure and tomorrow’s intelligent enterprise. Visualization capabilities with the Universal DI Model are closely aligned with the requirements of major end user associations and their recommendations for an open architecture to make production data easily and securely usable for asset monitoring and optimization. These collaborative efforts supporting new FDT 3.0 architectures are another example of technologies, solutions, and people working together to help achieve a brighter future in industrial manufacturing.

See: IIoT platform enables uniform IT/OT data access to enterprises. (10/06/2021)

@FDTGroup @OPCFoundation #PAuto

IIoT gateway for Industrie 4.0.

Softing Industrial Automation provides controller-independent access to PROFIBUS DP networks with their smartLink HW-DP. Besides HART IP and FDT, data for optimizing processes can now also be made available via an OPC UA interface. In addition, the new smartLink DTM enables FDT/DTM parameter setting for HART devices.

The smartLink HW-DP allows access to process data from PROFIBUS devices and HART devices connected to PROFIBUS remote I/Os, as well as secure export to any system inside or outside its own network. Users in the process industry who want to adapt their communication architecture to modern IIoT use cases can integrate smartLink into existing plants in a simple and cost-effective manner. Until now, access to data relevant for optimization processes was possible via HART IP for HART devices and FDT for PROFIBUS DP.

The new version V 1.10 additionally provides an OPC UA interface. This means that any HART IP and OPC UA clients, such as Emerson's AMS Device Manager or the Android app DevComDroid, can now be used to configure, monitor, and evaluate field devices via these open communication standards. With the new smartLink DTM, FDT/DTM parameters can now also be set for HART devices.

@SoftingIA @mepaxIntPR #Pauto #IIoT

"Most important interoperability technology in industry!" - report.

The OPC Foundation has announced that the ARC Advisory Group published a report entitled “OPC UA Momentum Continues to Build” (pdf). This eleven-page executive overview provides timely insights into what makes OPC UA the global standard of choice for industrial data communications in process and discrete manufacturing industries. In addition, the report provides a list of ARC recommendations for process manufacturers considering adopting OPC UA.

Stefan Hoppe, President and Executive Director of the OPC Foundation, commented, “This ARC report serves an excellent independent overview of the role OPC UA plays in the IIoT era. Packed with facts about OPC UA, ARC’s expert industry insights, and practical recommendations, the report provides a great starting point for those considering adopting OPC UA as the core of their data interoperability infrastructure.”

Set against the backdrop of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0, the report examines OPC UA from multiple perspectives including how it differs from other connectivity technologies and standards. Topics examined include the technology OPC UA is based on and the OPC Foundation’s initiatives, collaborations, and governance. The report provides a well-rounded view of why OPC UA is so popular today and why OPC UA will continue to grow in relevance for years to come.

Key take-aways the report offers include:

• OPC Foundation is run independently and transparently, the OPC UA standard is open and vendor agnostic, and the standard and Companion Specifications are freely available to everyone. All of these factors help maximize OPC UA adoption. • OPC UA is an enabler for next-generation automation standards that will, according to ARC, potentially change the industry structure of process automation eg. Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet APL), NAMUR Open Architecture, and the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF) • OPC UA is arguably the most extensive ecosystem for secured industrial interoperability • OPC UA is independent of underlying transport layers. As such, it uses the most suitable transports for the right applications (ex. TCP, UDP, MQTT, and 5G) • OPC UA is highly extensible via its Information Modeling (IM) capabilities. This makes OPC UA an excellent fit for use by automation vendors and other standards organizations wishing to express and share semantic data seamlessly across all verticals. • The OPC Foundation Field Level Communications (FLC) Initiative is defining a new OPC UA Field eXchange (OPC UA FX) standard that is supported by virtually all leading process automation suppliers. • OPC UA FX will extend OPC UA to the field level to enable open, unified, and standards-based communications between sensors, actuators, controllers, and the cloud. • Forward-looking companies should make OPC UA a crucial part of their long-term strategies today because the changes this technology brings will become a necessity faster than most people anticipate

“Industry faces issues today as result of the post-pandemic new normal. Those are e.g. maintaining supply chain integrity, the ability to shift to remote operations, the need for operational resilience and sustainability, and maximizing cybersecurity protection. That require a single framework for secure interoperability and information exchange as well as a common interoperability technology from cloud service providers to process field devices. Today this is mandatory for processors and manufacturers to grow and remain viable” according to Craig Resnick, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group. “OPC UA is the standard that solves these interoperability challenges, and acts as an ecosystem enabler to ensure that multiple open standards, such as Industry 4.0, NAMUR NOA, OPAF, and Ethernet APL can seamlessly work together. The goal is to ensure that all business and control information is based on a single version of the truth so companies can maximize their growth, productivity, and profitability.”

@OPCFoundation @arc_advisory @ARCWorldForum #PAuto #IIoT

IIoT platform enables uniform IT/OT data access to enterprises.

The FDT Group™ has announced that in cooperation with the OPC Foundation it has developed an update to the FDT OPC Unified Architecture (UA) companion specification merging the IT and OT domains within a new server-level Universal Device Information (DI) Model. The companion specification is now under member review with both associations for 90 days.

Since 2011, FDT Group and OPC Foundation have collaborated in support of a unified DI model to promote device- and network-level data access in a uniform way for higher-level enterprise applications. The two organizations first announced the release of their joint DI model companion specification in 2016 based on the FDT 2.0 Client/Server architecture. However, to meet the demands of next-generation, cloud-based computing applications, the companion specification has been updated to support digital transformation use cases matching the strengths of the FDT’s 3.0 IIoT Server platform, which unifies the availability, transport and visualization of data for business and operational stakeholders in the process, hybrid and discrete automation markets. It is a key technology development unifying data for both IT and OT while enabling the transmission of uniform, real-time process, network, and device information for any OPC UA Client in the enterprise.

“The new FDT OPC UA server-level universal DI model further unifies FDT’s strength as the standardized, data-centric IIoT platform serving uniform IT/OT device-data to the enterprise,” said Glenn Schulz, FDT Group managing director. “With the launch of the FDT 3.0 Server architecture natively integrated with an OPC UA Server, end users in the process, hybrid and discrete automation markets can freely mix and match any device with any device information model, from any vendor, and communicate on any network while the FDT Server transparently unifies all the device information and pushes the data to the enterprise for any OPC UA Client in real-time. This is an important win for the industry.”

Launching mid-year after approval by both FDT Group and OPC Foundation memberships, the new companion specification will provide the only protocol-agnostic, server-level device information model for both process and discrete applications. With the built-in, “pre-wired” OPC UA Server, the FDT Server environment seamlessly allows access to all device and network information and metadata via any authenticated OPC UA Client or application. Standard OPC UA browsing techniques are used to expose this information so that authorized OPC UA Clients can connect to the FDT Server to browse, collect and take action on the data as needed. Optional support for a Publish-Subscribe environment allows for efficient, real-time data monitoring and exchange.

Plant and factory operators require proven asset management monitoring solutions. Visualization capabilities with the Universal DI Model are closely aligned with the requirements of major end user associations and their recommendations for an open architecture to make production data easily and securely usable for plant and asset monitoring and optimization.

@FDTGroup @OPCFoundation #PAuto 

Conveying knowledge and experience.

Download eBook

The latest eBook edition "OPC UA Users and Experts – Conveying Knowledge and Experience,"  from the OPC Foundation, continues to interview industry experts and market leaders on the benefits and potential of OPC UA technology for end users, system integrators, and operators in the world of Industrial IoT.

Through their series of eBooks users earn more about Companion Specifications, the importance of OPC UA for business software, protecting against hacker/malware attacks, how to get started with OPC UA, and more.

@OPCFoundation #PAuto 

NB: The OPC International Open Day, a digital event, is scheduled from 8th to10th June 2021.
Three hours per day (2h content + 1h Q&A).
Each session twice in different time zones to serve America, Europe and Asia.

Conveying knowledge and experience.

The OPC Foundation publishes a series of interviews with experts, market leaders and think tanks in communication, automation and industrial IT to highlight the benefits and the potential of the OPC UA technology for end users, system integrators, operators in the world of industrial IoT.

With their eBook editions, the OPC Foundation highlights interviews on the benefits and potential of OPC UA technology for end users, system integrators and operators in the world of Industrial IoT.

In the second edition - learn more about Companion Specifications, the importance of OPC UA for business software, protection against hacker/malware attacks, how to get started with OPC UA, and more. 

First and second editions may be downloaded here. 

@OPCFoundation #PAuto 

Possibilities of data integration.

The new version V5.10 of Softing's dataFEED OPC Suite Extended offers MQTT subscriber functionality and extensive options for data preprocessing.

With the help of the new MQTT Subscriber, data can be received from an MQTT Broker and transmitted to other applications via OPC UA or written to a controller. This allows, for example, a recipe manager to be implemented in the cloud. In addition, extensive and flexible data preprocessing features now permit the execution of mathematical and logical calculations.  Use cases include converting a temperature value from Celsius to Fahrenheit or filtering out a specific bit of a word.

“The dataFEED OPC Suite Extended makes the provision of production data for IoT cloud applications simple and secure,” says Andreas Roeck, product manager at Softing Industrial. “With each update, we are working to further expand the possibilities of data integration and make them even more flexible. This way, we offer our customers and partners a future-proof solution.”

dataFEED OPC Suite Extended is a complete package for OPC communication and cloud connectivity in a single product. The suite can be used to access the controllers of leading suppliers and to connect to IoT devices.

@SoftingIDI @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #OPC

Industrial IoT communication.

Anybus® Com-pactCom™ IIoT Secure products for both EtherNet/IP and PROFINET, including a new complete security platform for IIoT communication over OPC UA and MQTT are now available from HMS Networks.

The leading Anybus CompactCom product family from HMS Networks enables device manufacturers to connect their industrial devices to all major industrial Ethernet networks, and IIoT connectivity is already supported via OPC UA and MQTT. However, the increased market demand for IIoT connectivity calls for next-level data security solutions to ensure that data from automation devices reach the cloud in a secure way. Full security is needed for the OPC UA or MQTT communication itself, as well as during file transfer and on web pages. The data must be encrypted, and the integrity of any given data system must be guaranteed to prevent data theft, tampering, or sabotage.

Addressing this challenge, HMS is the first company to release a complete and ready-made embedded security product that enables fully secure communication from devices in the field to the cloud. The solution is called CompactCom IIoT Secure and features new powerful security hardware, secure boot, certificate management, encryption, as well as secure OPC UA and MQTT communication. The release focuses on CompactCom for EtherNet/IP and PROFINET with OPC UA and MQTT connectivity and includes the following main new software and hardware elements.

CompactCom software for secure IIoT Encryption of data sent to the cloud using secure OPC UA channels or to use encrypted traffic via MQTT over TLS Secure boot functionality ensuring usage of HMS firmware only Authentication through advanced certificate management and secure access and file transfer over TLS using HTTPS and WebDAV

New certified hardware prepared for security and industrial use A security chip ensures full product integrity and identity The solution has been thoroughly tested from a cybersecurity point of view by HMS Pre-conformance testing has been performed for the networks in question, facilitating customer product certification significantly Complies with the applicable EMC and UL-standards same as for all Anybus products

The new Anybus CompactCom Secure IIoT products for EtherNet/IP and PROFINET enables  CompactCom customers to benefit from a fast path to secure IIoT communication without having to redesign their device.

#PAuto #MEpax #IIoT @HMSAnybus @hmsnetworks

Seamless Communication from the Field Level to the Cloud.

Pepperl+Fuchs has become the first company to offer IO-Link masters with an OPC UA interface and is therefore paving the way for end-to-end, transparent, and seamless communication from the lowest field level to the cloud

The automation specialist Pepperl+Fuchs has acquired the business of Comtrol Corporation. Comtrol is a pioneer in the field of Ethernet-based industrial communication and a leading provider of IO-Link masters. Pepperl+Fuchs has therefore strengthened its position as a system provider in the IO-Link sector and has become the first company to be able to offer IO-Link masters with an OPC UA interface.

OPC UA is an Ethernet-based communication protocol and provides an easy and flexible method of communication between machines or between a machine and the cloud. OPC UA is characterized by its independence, which gives customers incredible flexibility when designing their IoT systems, and ensures that they have complete freedom, no matter which platform they choose to use.

By combining OPC UA and IO-Link, Pepperl+Fuchs has opened up completely new possibilities for end-to-end, transparent, and seamless communication from the lowest field level to the cloud. If IO-Link functions as the interface for the identification, diagnostics, and parameter data from the sensor technology, OPC UA provides the perfect solution for transmitting this data to PC- or cloud-based systems in full and in parallel with time-critical control communication. This is the only way to realize broader visions surrounding Industry 4.0 as detailed data can be collected from the lowest field level and evaluated in a target-oriented manner.

#PAuto @PepperlFuchs @mepaxIntPR

Open communication standard in pharma recognised.

OPEN-SCS and Werum IT Solutions successfully staged the “OPEN-SCS plug fest” at Werum’s headquarters in Lüneburg (D).  The OPEN-SCS working group is partnered with the OPC Foundation to develop an open source standard covering the complete business transaction for the data exchange in pharma packaging serialization.

OPEN-SCS honored with Pharma 4.0 Award

During the plug fest the interfaces between the ISA levels 2-3 and 3-4 and the different vendors have been tested. Besides Werum (manufacturing IT including serialization solutions) the companies ACG (end-to-end pharmaceutical solutions), ADVANCO (packaging/distribution serialization and track and trace level 3 and 4), and WIPOTEC (serialization provider of level 2 systems) took part in the interoperability tests. Complex data containing, for instance, serialization mass data, were exchanged and the compliance with the OPC UA standard checked.

“The results are very satisfactory,” says Costantino Pipero, leading the event on behalf the OPC Foundation. “We fully achieved our goals, testing the interfaces, interoperability, and compliance adherence. The specification is viable, that means no changes are needed. For OPEN SCS this is the basis to now start and speed up implementation.”

In recognition of its efforts to develop an open communication standard, the OPEN-SCS working group was honored with the Pharma 4.0 Award by the Pharma MES / Pharma TRACKTS! conference. The award will further boost OPEN-SCS to realize its vision: to reduce the total cost of ownership for packaging serialization in the pharma and biotech industry.

 #PAuto #Pharma @Werum @OPCFoundation

OPC Unified Architecture.

Red Lion Controls has announced new capabilities for their award-winning Crimson® software, including an OPC UA Client driver with encrypted password support, OPC UA Historical Access, an MQTT connector for Google Cloud and store and forward buffering for all Crimson cloud connectors.

Unlike other OPC UA clients which may only allow access to a preexisting list of data items, with just a few clicks, Crimson 3.1’s new OPC UA client driver captures the rich attributes such as diagnostic and performance information, of a target OPC UA server’s data tags.

With this added capability, most Crimson 3.1-based devices can act as both OPC UA server and OPC UA client. “This can dramatically simplify system architectures, increase scalability and accelerate data integration initiatives with no additional hardware or expensive software customization required,” said Paul Bunnell, product management director for automation products at Red Lion Controls. “In addition, OPC UA Historical Access ensures the reliable transmission of real-time and historical data directly to enterprise business systems using a single, easy-to-use environment.”

See how simple it is to configure communication between OPC UA clients and servers here.

On devices with an SD card, Crimson’s MQTT connectors can be configured to buffer data within the device when a connection to the target platform is not available. This feature can be set to indicate whether data should be buffered just to memory, or whether the device’s SD card should be used to provide further storage that will survive a power cycle – enhancing reliability and increasing system resilience.

• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols  #PAuto @Instrum_Tech