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Component Manufacturing dverti$er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$er
September 2019 #11242 Page #68
Interoperability Standardization in the Industrial Automation Space Steve Shrader, Business Development/Operations Hundegger USA
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o, there is an interesting discussion by some in the CM Industry to create a universal truss software standard. In some circles, this “standard” is merely an effort to integrate and simplify. Others worry it is an effort to monetize design software, and to some this “standard” will be more convenient for the independent equipment vendors. But is this a case of missing the forest for the trees? —The rest of the Manufacturing Industry is already adopting a standard. That standard is the Internet of Things (IoT). When it comes to Component Manufacturing, several vendors are in a frenzy to build their R&D facilities and create a “standard.” For CMs who like to shop the full menu of automation equipment, communication between machines (M2M) is already available using APIs and an Ethernet network to link objects or equipment for Process Control. Inter Process Communication is an existing standard that allows the exchange of data between processes or devices and is the best foundation for digitalization standardization communication and connection. And it’s “Vendor-Neutral”!!! Basically, it’s a server/client system that allows one application to control another application, thereby enabling data sharing without interference. (The Internet of Things) Hint: Ask your IT guy. When “Smart” equipment is built with API communications protocol, it provides a structure for data requests using a client/server network. There is no reason existing software can’t connect to hardware, such as a Human-Machine Interface that consists of hardware and software that allow user inputs to be converted to signals for machines that, in turn, provide the required result back to the user. Human-machine interface technology has been used in different industries like electronics, entertainment, military, medical, manufacturing, etc. No paper work, no print outs, no paper reporting. The value of application client/server protocol is that it is an open standard, which means lower costs and more options. This means equipment manufacturers need only provide a server for their devices to communicate with any client. This means software vendors need only simply include client capabilities in their products and they can become instantly compatible with any equipment, saw, projector device (European or State side). Users can choose any client software they desire, resting assured that it will communicate seamlessly with their enabled hardware, and vice-versa. Continued next page
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