A basic requirement for Industry 4.0 is the exchange of information across manufacturers and platforms. The communication standard OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) provides a framework for this so that systems can communicate in a common language. In order to make optimum use of this potential for image processing, VITRONIC developed the so-called Machine Vision (OPC MV) Part 1 Companion Specification together with nine other companies under the umbrella of the VDMA Robotics + Automation trade association. This enables the functionalities of vision systems to be addressed manufacturer-independently and integrated on the IT side.
The concrete reference to practice will be presented at this year's SPS in Nuremberg: At the OPC Foundation booth, the four project partners ASENTICS, PEER Group, Robert Bosch Manufacturing Solutions and VITRONIC will demonstrate the simultaneous interaction of several clients with image processing systems from different suppliers using a hardware demonstrator. In addition to switching between clients, different use case scenarios can also be selected. The demonstrator establishes an infrastructure layer that enables a simplified and uniform integration of different image processing systems into higher-level IT production systems (PLC, SCADA, MES, ERP, Cloud, ...). Furthermore, it demonstrates the manufacturer-independent control of a vision system using the abstraction of the system behavior defined in the OPC UA specification.
"We are very pleased to have reached another milestone in the realization of Industry 4.0 with this project", says Carsten Born, Development Machine Vision Platform, VITRONIC. "Through standardization, we not only facilitate data exchange and networking at the automation level - we also reduce the integration effort for components and systems and thus enable a more flexible use of vision systems.
The OPC Machine Vision Companion Specification is the result of the collaboration of an international group of experts. With the development of the hardware demonstrator, we have shown how seamless vertical communication between the different levels of the automation pyramid can be. This marks the beginning of the era of a truly 'connected factory
VITRONIC is the world's leading innovation driver for machine vision, enabling its customers to master the challenges of tomorrow.
The global group of companies develops forward-looking solutions in the form of specialized products and software for image-based quality inspection, identification and process optimization, which find application in the growth sectors of automation and traffic engineering.
VITRONIC solutions make an important contribution to helping shape a safe and sustainable world. The existing limits of what is economically feasible are constantly being questioned in order to achieve the highest quality and productivity, for example in the production of automotive and pharmaceutical companies. Worldwide, Auto-ID solutions in logistics centers and at cargo airports, take over the reliable and efficient recording of shipments and thus ensure a transparent flow of goods.
In the transport sector, VITRONIC offers leading technology for increased safety on the roads, for optimizing traffic flow and for recording road usage.
Open and honest dealings with our customers form the foundation for jointly exploiting technological and process potential to the full. Joint success forms the basis of long-term cooperation with companies such as B. Braun, BMW, Daimler, DHL, UPS, Fresenius and Sanofi as well as with public clients.
Since its foundation in 1984, VITRONIC has been growing continuously for 40 years. The current annual turnover (2023) is above 240 million EUR and the company is currently represented on five continents in over 80 countries with approximately 1,400 employees. Since 2024 the company is part of ITIS Holding, leveraging the strengths of both entities, creating a strong end-to-end ITS and automation provider.
Development and production of VITRONIC systems are located at the company headquarters in Wiesbaden. VITRONIC subsidiaries span across all continents, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Additionally, a global network of sales and service partners ensures localized support for international customers.