Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems

Scope / Goals

Develops Information Models for Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems to build a unified interface architecture towards internal and external systems, e.g., ERP, MES, cloud but also subsystems of machine tools and manufacturing systems, e.g., robots, automation systems and ancillary systems.

Technical Details

The label “umati” ‘(universal machine tool interface) was established by VDW during a preliminary project, “Connectivity for Industry 4.0“, which originated in 2017 and led to the development of a draft standardized information model which serves as the input for discussion in the umati JWG.
In the field of CNC machine tools, there is a multitude of communication interfaces, profiles and mechanisms for the integration of machine tools into a production network. There are standardized as well as manufacturer-specific solutions to be found. This variety just like the lacking consistency of the standardization currently lead to considerable effort in the case of system networking.

This group presented a proof of concept with a showcase at the AMB 2018 trade fair Stuttgart in September of 2018. At least one machine of each partner was connected via an OPC UA information model draft with 12 parameters. The implementation took between 8 and 16 hours, with the assistance of the respective controls supplier to get the OPC UA Server configured and ready for sending data to a demo MES system.