Experience interoperability: Connected Machines
Connectivity of the future – future of connectivity
Interoperability is the ability of various devices or machines to interconnect and communicate regardless of their manufacturer, thus facilitating data access for end users. Experts and organizations such as FVA, OPC Foundation, and umati outline current possibilities and how connectivity can be simplified even further at the Connected Machines special show. The perfect complement: our showcase linking compatible machines using the umati dashboard – with machines located across trade fairs at automatica and Laser World of Photonics, respectively.
Experts meet experts
Connected machines require connected expertise. Our special area in Hall B5/Stand 224 will serve as a competency hub for four days – you are invited to join us and engage in exchange with other experts, share experiences, and experience the latest developments in interoperability.
It provides you with an opportunity to meet the OPC UA environment partner organizations, e.g. the OPC Foundation, umati, and FVA. In addition, there will be presentations and explanations of exhibits from practice featuring a total of six different OPC UA Companion Specifications (CS) – complemented by additional exhibitor presentations focusing on implementation know-how.
The covered spectrum:
- CS for Laser Systems (OPC 40530)
- CS for Geometric Measuring Systems (OPC 40210)
- CS for Weighing Technology (OPC 40200)
- CS for Joining Systems Base/Tightening Systems (OPC 40450 / OPC 40451)
- CS for Machine Vision (OPC 40100)
- CS for Robotics (OPC 40010)
The various technical presentations at our Speakers‘ Corner are the perfect opportunity for you to expand your knowledge and share it with others. Engage with our partners to exchange ideas and network with fellow professionals from other fields and sectors – our ‘Meet the Experts’ get-together as part of our after-work program on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 16:30 onwards, is one of many opportunities to do so.
What Connected Machines has to offer:
- Machine dashboards based on six different OPC UA Companion Specifications
- Tangible CS implementations in real industrial products – a demonstration of functionality and customer benefits
- A perfect opportunity for intensive exchange and constructive networking with other experts
Connectivity across trade fairs
Reality check, anyone? Our decentralized showcase lets you access a network of robots, lasers, as well as machine vision and tightening systems from different manufacturers with ease via your smartphone – because they are all connected via umati. Just scan the corresponding exhibit’s QR code at automatica or Laser World of Photonics with your smartphone. Once the umati dashboard appears on your screen, you have an option of viewing various data and machine information – relating to such things as condition monitoring, or robot axis position and speed. Participants in 2025 include Coherent, deprag, FANUC, Laserline, Trumpf, and Weber Schraubautomaten. Thinking big? The Connected Machines special show features a large dashboard presented by umati.
What is OPC UA?
OPC UA is an acronym for Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture. It is a machine-to-machine communications protocol used in industrial automation and other areas. OPC UA is a standardized and safe way to exchange data and information between machines, devices, and applications – regardless of their platform and manufacturer. The objective: to achieve interoperability between various systems and applications, and to facilitate the integration of data from different sources within a common framework.
What are Companion Specifications?
OPC UA Companion Specifications are industry-specific standard specifications defining possible OPC UA use cases in certain domains such as robotics, machine vision, or in tightening systems. They are based on the OPC UA core standard and offer additional concepts, objects, and services tailored to these fields of application.
What does the OPC Foundation do?
The OPC Foundation has facilitated the development and adoption of the OPC information exchange standards since 1996. The declared goal: to provide the best specifications, technology, processes, and certifications to achieve secure and reliable interoperability for moving data and information from the embedded world to the enterprise cloud across vendors and platforms. The foundation serves over 1000 members worldwide in the industrial automation, IT, IoT, IIoT, M2M, Industry 4.0, building automation, machine tools, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and smart energy sectors.
What does umati do?
umati (universal machine technology interface) is an initiative by mechanical engineering companies and their customers to promote and use open, standardized interfaces based on OPC UA. Their goal is to make data exchange among machines, components, and plants a simple, seamless, and secure process that can be integrated into customer- and user-specific IT ecosystems. In addition, umati aims to unlock new potential for the global production of the future.
What does FVA do?
interop4X is an independent brand of FVA GmbH, specializing in solutions for industrial digitalization. Its services include OPC UA training for managers, developers, and sales teams, as well as consulting and the development of customized solutions for machine connectivity and information exchange. The focus is on the OPC UA international communication and interoperability standard, empowering companies to master digital transformation and exploit the full potential of their manufacturing processes.
