Industry news
First OPC UA companion specification for PROFINET PROFIBUS & PROFINET INTERNATIONAL (PI) has published the first OPC UA companion specification for PROFINET. This specification describes a standardized OPC UA object model for PROFINET devices which enables PROFINET devices from a wide variety of different manufacturers to transfer device data to asset management systems in a standardized way, for example. Standardization makes information collection significantly easier for tool manufacturers, regardless of the manufacturer, and is the beginning of PI’s vertical integration strategy. Many Industry 4.0 use cases are based on transferring data from the shop floor to IT systems or the cloud in the operating phase of a plant so it can be evaluated there. In the simplest case, this is device information like the serial number or firmware version of a device. It can go far beyond this, though, if it’s possible to determine network or device diagnostic data, for example. In such cases, maintenance and diagnostic schedules can then be created or statements on availability derived. PI’s goal is to define an open standard for PROFINET devices which specifies a very wide variety of information in standardized
SOURCE: PI
Standardized OPC UA object model for PROFINET enables devices from a wide variety of different manufacturers to transfer device data to asset management systems in a standardized way.
Companion specification can be downloaded from the PI and OPC Foundation websites.
object models so that they can easily be integrated by device manufacturers and used by plant operators and system integrators. Finally, it also reduces the effort and expenses involved in data collection. When it comes to implementation, it doesn’t matter whether the OPC UA server is located directly on the device or whether a higher-level edge gateway or controller is
aggregating the data for multiple PROFINET devices. In each case, the user has a uniform picture of the information. Here, PROFINET benefits from the basic feature of additional TCP/IP channels being operable in parallel to the actual real-time traffic. This initial specification represents the basis for subsequent, more far-reaching information models. The next goal taken on by the working group will be the modeling of energy management data in OPC UA based on PROFIenergy. Additional requirements are already being clarified now. The working groups are also working closely together on overarching OPC specifications like device integration and a base network information model. The companion specification can be downloaded from the PI and OPC Foundation websites. More detailed information on vertical integration with PROFINET and OPC UA can be found on PI’s newly redesigned web pages on Industry 4. View website at: www.profibus.com/I40 N e w s f r o m PROFIBUS & PROFINET International.
OPC, ODVA & Sercos groups to develop OPC UA Motion Cooperation to speed up Field Level Communications (FLC) initiative is backed by proven technologies from established organizations. The OPC Foundation, ODVA and Sercos International have announced a collaboration to develop a new generation of motion technology for industry. This new motion technology will be initially published as OPC UA Motion, with subsequent updates to the Sercos technology and the CIP Motion technology for EtherNet/IP. This development will provide a flexible architecture for distributing motion control features between controllers and drives, based on a common information model for motion devices such as PLCs / motion controllers, standard drives / frequency converters, positioning drives, servo drives, motion encoders, motor starters, and power supplies. To begin the work, a new OPC UA Motion Working Group (WG) was launched on May 18th. The new Motion WG is tasked with
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specifying the motion facet of FLC to enable inter-vendor operation for motion automation. Many well-known industrial automation manufacturers in the field of motion control are represented within this WG to ensure a uniform, worldwide, and coordinated standard for motion automation in discrete and process manufacturing. This new motion specification will use PubSub, with and without TSN network access, and can be combined with OPC UA Safety to support all relevant use cases for centralized and non-centralized motion solution concepts. In order to provide end users with a best-in-class solution, the FLC Initiative selected motion solutions backed by proven technologies from established organizations: as a result, CIP Motion and Sercos specifications have been determined to be solutions on which to base OPC UA Motion. In turn, ODVA and Sercos International are committed to building upon their existing collaborations
with the OPC Foundation and to providing end users of their technologies, EtherNet/IP and Sercos, with an expanded solution set as well as improved motion technology. The CIP Motion and Sercos specifications will be used and may be changed or extended for: • Adaptation to OPC UA & FLC system architecture • Innovation to cover Industrie 4.0 and digitalization use cases • Modern concepts of data modelling and real time requirements The FLC Initiative – with its Architecture & Infrastructure (A&I) and Safety Working Groups – aims to deliver a harmonized solution for motion automation applications including safe motion functionality. In addition, cooperation is planned with the existing VDMA/OPC Foundation joint WG for electrical power train systems. News report by ODVA.
in d u s t r ial et h er ne t b o o k
7.2020
