AutomationML model

Scope / Goals

Combine AutomationML and OPC UA.

• Develop an OPC UA specification for AutomationML (AML) to transform AML models in OPC UA information models and develop an open source XSLT realization of this transformation.
• Specify how to describe OPC UA Servers and their communication parameters in an AutomationML engineering data model.

Overview

Production systems are changed continuously and thus have to be adaptive. Changes/Re-engineering in the production plant lead to reconfiguration of hardware and software components. This affects all planning phases, disciplines and corresponding tools and systems.
The aim of AutomationML is an efficient exchange of engineering information (CAD, electrical planning, mechanical planning, simulation, PLC programming, HMI) which leads to a time and cost reduction.

The key for this collaboration is that data can be exported and imported by tools correctly in an efficient way. To achieve interoperability and a seamless semantic integration, this must be completed by an efficient im- and export of the data. OPC UA is one existing and already present communication standard in the automation level (e.g. existing interfaces to PLC, CNC, and software tools).

Benefits with the combination of AutomationML with OPC UA

Communicate and operationalize
The OPC UA server includes a functional view on the production. It comprises an information model that allows users to organize data and their semantics in a structured manner. It is possible to simplify the creation of OPC UA information models based on existing AutomationML data. AutomationML models can be exchanged via OPC UA. The companion specification for AutomationML consists of an object model including many specific semantics which can be used online with multiple involved parties/disciplines/tools by OPC UA. It includes OPC UA data management, online communication functionality, multi-user support, access methods, security, etc. This is especially important for re-engineering and maintenance use cases where the AutomationML model evolves over time.

Lossless exchange of system configuration
Parameters to set up OPC UA communication between tools can be exchanged using AutomationML. This simplifies the configuration of OPC UA client connections to an OPC UA server. The manual exchange of OPC UA server configuration data will be replaced by standardized/specified description in AutomationML.

This realizes consistent data, produces less errors and results in an easier and faster configuration of UA servers and clients. OPC UA can benefit from the description of complete communication network configuration and structure including communication components of sensors and actuators with respect to communication system parameters, network structure and wiring, quality of service, etc.

More information

• Flyer “AutomationML, OPC UA and the Asset Administration Shell of Industrie4.0 Components”
• See here: OPC UA & AutomationML, 1min
• See here: OPC UA and AutomationML
• Github Repository: https://github.com/AutomationML/AML-UA-XSLT