Interview with Andreas Faath
1. Why is OPC UA so important to the VDMA and how are you working with member companies and the OPC Foundation to promote the adoption of OPC UA?
Andreas Faath, head of the VDMA’s Machine Information Interoperability (MII) department, plays a key role in implementing and promoting interoperability technologies in mechanical engineering.
Andreas Faath: OPC UA and the associated specifications are important to the VDMA because they provide the basis for standardized information modeling in mechanical engineering. Originally, the initiative did not come from the VDMA itself, but from member companies, in particular from 11 sectors such as robotics, weighing technology, machine tools, plastics, rubber and image processing.
The VDMA started with the topic of OPC UA in 2018 in the form of a project, and has since been continuously working on the development of accompanying specifications, particularly in these industries.
In 2021, a department for “Machine Information Interoperability” was established within the VDMA to ensure long-term work on interoperability and OPC UA. A central goal of this department is to support the members in creating companion specifications relevant to the machine building industry.
Andreas Faath: OPC UA and the associated specifications are important to the VDMA because they provide the basis for standardized information modeling in mechanical engineering. Originally, the initiative did not come from the VDMA itself, but from member companies, in particular from 11 sectors such as robotics, weighing technology, machine tools, plastics, rubber and image processing.
The VDMA started with the topic of OPC UA in 2018 in the form of a project, and has since been continuously working on the development of accompanying specifications, particularly in these industries.
In 2021, a department for “Machine Information Interoperability” was established within the VDMA to ensure long-term work on interoperability and OPC UA. A central goal of this department is to support the members in creating companion specifications relevant to the machine building industry.
Andreas Faath, head of the VDMA’s Machine Information Interoperability (MII) department, plays a key role in implementing and promoting interoperability technologies in mechanical engineering.
2. How does the VDMA organize the process of developing companion specifications?
Andreas Faath: The process of developing Companion Specifications typically begins when companies express an interest in developing a Companion Specification for their machinery. The first step is to bring together a critical mass of companies with different perspectives on the manufacture and use of products.
“The goal is to establish a de facto standard through broad acceptance. To ensure a broad industry perspective, non-VDMA member companies such as manufacturers or customers may be involved.”
Andreas Faath – Managing Director Machine Information Interoperability Department, VDMA
The VDMA then checks whether it is a matter for the entire industry or the request of a single company. If several companies are interested, they are invited to join a working group to develop the specification.
The second step is to define the use cases. In the VDMA working groups, the focus is on clearly defined machines and specific use cases. Instead of over-standardization, prioritized use cases are first fully described.
After defining the use cases and the associated machines, the goal is clearly defined. At this point, the VDMA initiates a joint working group with the OPC Foundation and, if necessary, other partners.
3. What are the specific tasks of the VDMA in the working groups for the development of companion specifications, and how is it ensured that the standards developed are consistent and practical?
Andreas Faath: At the beginning of the collaboration, variables are collected, discussed, compared, summarized and re-described. The question of how to implement OPC UA is considered.
The VDMA checks the processes, makes sure that the solutions developed are practical and standards-compliant, and that excessive complexity is avoided. For this purpose, the VDMA provides experts with specific OPC UA know-how who take over the editorial work and deliver the OPC UA modeling part.
The goal is to develop a uniform specification with a uniform style to ensure easier implementation and comprehensibility for all parties involved.
Finally, a release candidate is created, which is published via the OPC Foundation as well as via the German Institute for Standardization (DIN). After a 90-day objection period, the release candidate is finally accepted as a standard.
4. How does the umati initiative help to facilitate the adoption of OPC UA and Companion Specifications in the machine and plant manufacturing industry, and what specific support measures are offered to participating companies?
Andreas Faath: UMATI, the “Universal Machine Technology Interface”, is an initiative of the VDMA and VDW** to promote the adaptation of OPC UA and related specifications to products in the machine and plant engineering sector and their use by customers.
While VDMA focuses on the standardization and development of the specifications, UMATI goes one step further and actively supports companies in the implementation of these standards.
** German Machine Tool Builders Association
“UMATI provides not only a platform for sharing best practices and lessons learned, but also practical support such as hackathons and implementation tips.”
Andreas Faath – Managing Director Machine Information Interoperability Department, VDMA
A key component is a dashboard that allows companies to test their initial implementations in a pre-competitive environment before deploying to customers. The UMATI community now includes more than 300 companies worldwide and is open to operators, manufacturers, software houses and other interested parties.
