The joint VDMA and OPC Foundation "Additive Manufacturing” OPC UA Working Group will develop an OPC UA Information Model for the industrial process chain of additive manufacturing (“AM”).
AM-Technology is an innovative production method, which allows to build parts with a “layer-by-layer" material adding process. A large variety of different materials are assembled into components using this method. A special feature is the great freedom of design. In the industrial production process, data from the design can be converted into complete layer data according to the desired geometries in the production process. The multitude of individual layers then results in the component geometry.
The method makes use of very different processes such as electron beam melting, arc welding, laser sintering, build-up welding, inkjet application, UV curing and many more.
AM systems and other systems directly involved in the additive manufacturing process can be easily connected, configured and integrated into industrial manufacturing processes with this standard. Uniform interfaces are available for networking and logging the machines and systems involved as an open standard.
The end-user-oriented specifications in the information model support production planning (overview of current and planned jobs), process data acquisition and (in future versions) process control over the entire process chain by reading data from or sending data to the machine. The analysis of the recorded production data can be used to increase productivity, create an energy and resource balance, and optimize maintenance cycles.
The material cycle is supported in the area of supply (powders, granulates, resins...), processing and handling of components and production residues. Sustainable production operation in networked production is promoted through optimized material use and recycling.
The OPC UA for Machine Tools interface enables the exchange of information between the machines involved and software systems such as MES, SCADA, ERP or data analysis systems.