OPCF Foundation and ZVEI sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutually beneficial activities relating to “Industry 4.0”
Scottsdale, AZ – April 24th, 2018 –The OPC Foundation and ZVEI (The ZVEI is German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association) have signed a MoU at Hannover Messe for joined activities relating to Industrie4.0. First focus is an OPC UA based mapping of the Industrie4.0 Asset Administration Shell (I4AAS).
Under the moderation of the OPC Foundation, the concept of the I4AAS, defined in a technology independent manner so far, will be mapped into the technology of OPC UA. The conceptual input of the I4AAS is a result of the Plattform Industrie 4.0 Working Group 1 “Norms, Standards and Reference Architecture”, the ZVEI Mirror Group “SG Standards and Models” and the ZVEI sub working group “Administration shell in detail”. To ensure the interoperability of the I4AAS with the OPC UA Companion Specifications (developed with the VDMA), the VDMA is included in addition (beside the ZVEI) and part of the upcoming OPC joint working group.
Gunther Koschnik, Managing Director ZVEI, Automation Division says: “Industry 4.0 is in the implementation phase. The implementation of the I4.0 Asset Administration Shell in OPC UA brings the Industry 4.0 vision, the interoperable communication of components and products (assets) a significant step forward.
Picture: Gunther Koschnik, ZVEI (left) and Stefan Hoppe, OPC Foundation (right)
Michael Hoffmeister, Digital expert of Festo AG & Co. KG and chair of the ZVEI working groups: “The Administration shell (AAS) paves the way for a real interoperability of information and added values between all partners in the Industrie 4.0 network. Leading companies of both IT and automation business are specifying together the technology-neutral exchange format for digital ecosystems. OPC foundation and its rapidly evolving technologies and information models are the ideal partner for this venture. OPC UA is the online representation format for the AAS on all levels of the operational shop floor.”
Michael Hoffmeister, Festo AG, chair of the ZVEI working group
Stefan Hoppe, Vice President OPC Foundation says: “The OPC Foundation aspires to define the Industrie 4.0 Asset Administration Shell (I4AAS) technically as “OPC UA companion specification I4AAS”. Right now, on their own, 7 known groups are currently working on prototypically implementations of the I4AAS based on OPC UA. The upcoming joint working group I4AAS should harmonize all these activities, but also coordinate with other stakeholders -like the VDMA- to synchronize the I4AAS with e. g. the initiative “VDMA Mechanical Engineering CS Type A” – which specifies the basic properties and functionalities in the mechanical engineering industry”
About ZVEI
The ZVEI is German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association. The ZVEI is committed to the common interests of the electrical industry in Germany and at the international level. Over 1,600 companies have opted for membership of the ZVEI. ZVEI member companies undoubtedly have the knowledge of manufacturing and business processes in the manufacturing and process industry as well as the expertise to produce Industrie 4.0 technologies. The reference architecture model RAMI 4.0, the Industry 4.0 component with its asset and the asset administration shell have their origins in the ZVEI Automation Devision.
For more information about the ZVEI please visit https://www.zvei.org/en/
About the OPC Foundation
Since 1996, the OPC Foundation has facilitated the development and adoption of the OPC information exchange standards. As both advocate and custodian of these specifications, the Foundation’s mission is to help industry vendors, end-users, and software developers maintain interoperability in their manufacturing and automation assets. The OPC Foundation is dedicated to providing the best specifications, technology, process and certification to achieve multivendor, multiplatform, secure, reliable interoperability for moving data and information from the embedded world to the enterprise cloud. The Foundation serves over 580 members worldwide in the Industrial Automation, IT, IoT, IIoT, M2M, Industrie 4.0, Building Automation, machine tools, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and Smart Energy sectors.
For more information about the OPC Foundation, please visit https://newwebsite.opcfoundation.org.
Contact:
Gunther Koschnick, Managing Director, ZVEI Automation Division
koschnick@zvei.org
Stefan Hoppe, Global Vice President
OPC Foundation
Stefan.Hoppe@OPCfoundation.org
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