Open path to measurement

Open connectivity makes it easier for measuring systems to communicate with products from different manufacturers.

OPC (open connectivity via open standards) Data Access provides a mechanism by which a data source can communicate data to any client application in a standard way.

A client application could be an HMI interface, a data monitoring or logging system, or any bespoke software application that needs to access data.

A typical Universal Balancing product consists of a machine (with various drives, encoders, air cylinders, sensors and so on), a PLC, an HMI software application, and the firm's bespoke Windows-based measuring system application Winbal.

All these components need to operate and communicate with each other.

By building OPC support into the measuring system application, the firm immediately gets interoperability with any OPC-enabled PLC and any OPC-enabled HMI software product.

This gives the ability to supply a machine using any vendor's PLC product with no extra development necessary, since OPC immediately lets application communicate with that PLC.

Less development means less cost, a more mature software base leading to more reliability and shorter lead times.

This allows easier upgrading of other manufacturers' automated machines, which was previously only possible to the OEM.

Communications between the PLC and the measuring system software is by Ethernet.

Previously, all such communication was by physical wires.

This wiring has been completely eliminated leading to reduced build time (with less scope for errors) and fewer potential points of failure leading to increased reliability and reduced maintenance.

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