This document provides information-modelling concepts and object libraries that can be applied to model a complete production workcentre or line. It covers machine configurations, product flows, production, set-up, service, live status as well as historical information. It applies to primary and secondary production, including conventional and heat-not-burn products.

This document aims at harmonizing data exchange and interoperability requirements for the common benefit of both cigarette manufacturers and OEMs.

OPC Foundation

OPC is the interoperability standard for the secure and reliable exchange of data and information in the industrial automation space and in other industries. It is platform independent and ensures the seamless flow of information among devices from multiple vendors. The OPC Foundation is responsible for the development and maintenance of this standard.

OPC UA is a platform independent service-oriented architecture that integrates all the functionality of the individual OPC Classic specifications into one extensible framework. This multi-layered approach accomplishes the original design specification goals of:

• Platform independence: from an embedded microcontroller to cloud-based infrastructure
• Secure: encryption, authentication, authorization and auditing
• Extensible: ability to add new features including transports without affecting existing applications
• Comprehensive information modelling capabilities: for defining any model from simple to complex

TMC Working Group

The Tobacco Machine Communication (TMC) Working Group was formed to help secondary machine manufacturers design their machines to meet the harmonised requirements of its clients, both in terms of machine-to-machine communication and in terms of machine-to-manufacturing system communication.

At the time of writing the TMC Working Group consists of the following members:

British American Tobacco

Imperial Tobacco Group

JT International

Philip Morris International