VDMA Services GmbH, Connected Machines

Connected Machines Interoperability is the key to successful digital production: It enables machines and systems to communicate regardless of manufacturer and to make data efficiently usable. At the “Connected Machines” special exhibition, experts and organisations such as interop4X (FVA), the OPC Foundation, and umati will impressively demonstrate what is already possible today—and how easy connectivity will become in the future. A special highlight is the cross-exhibition showcase, which connects compatible machines live via a central umati dashboard. For four days, our special exhibition area in Hall 15/Booth C28 will serve as a hub of expertise and invites you to experience the latest developments in the field of interoperability. Here, you’ll get to know key partner organisations in the OPC UA ecosystem and applications . OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is a standardised communication protocol for secure data exchange in industrial automation. It enables the manufacturer- and platform-independent networking of machines, devices, and applications, and lays the foundation for end-to-end interoperability and the integration of various data sources. OPC UA Companion Specifications are industry-specific extensions of the OPC UA standard. They define how OPC UA is used in specific application areas such as robotics, industrial image processing, and glass manufacturing and processing, and supplement the core standard with appropriate models, objects, and services. The OPC Foundation has been promoting the development and adoption of the OPC standard for secure information exchange since 1996. The goal is cross-vendor interoperability from the field level to the cloud. It brings together over 1,000 members from industry, IT, and other sectors. umati is an initiative by mechanical engineering companies and end users to promote open, standardised interfaces based on OPC UA. The goal is to enable simple, secure, and seamless data exchange between machines and systems, as well as their integration into IT ecosystems, in order to unlock new potential for production. interop4X is a brand of FVA GmbH and offers solutions for industrial digitalisation. These include OPC UA training for specialists and managers, consulting, and the development of custom applications for connecting machines. The focus is on the OPC UA standard, which enables efficient communication and supports companies in their digital transformation.