Automation and Standardization

KMA Participates in VDMA OPC UA Initiative

14.10.2019 | Editor: Isabell Page

Industry 4.0 means the intelligent networking of people, machines and industrial processes, by peripheral devices communicating independently with die casting machines. The interface standard OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is intended to enable comprehensive data exchange between products from different manufacturers.

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When peripheral devices communicate independently with die casting machines, automatically clear the working area during maintenance work and switch to stand-by mode, we are talking about Industry 4.0.
(Source: gemeinfrei / Pixabay)

Today, individual interfaces to casting machines already exist in die casting to enable the exchange of information in heterogeneous systems. The programming and control of these various interfaces, however, is associated with high personnel and time costs and does not allow the exchange of information between manufacturers. The connectivity of die casting machines with peripheral devices is therefore all the more important, so that the VDMA is cooperating in an initiative together with manufacturers and selected die casting suppliers.

As a member of this working group, KMA works closely with the die casting machine manufacturers to define a uniform OPC UA interface for the die casting industry. KMA is contributing its expertise in exhaust air cleaning and smoke collection on die casting machines.

The basis for the intelligent networking of the exhaust air filter system with the casting machine is advanced communication between the respective control systems. By synchronizing the technical interfaces, for example, the fan output of the filter system adapts to the spray cycle of the die casting machine. During the spraying pause, the fan output can be reduced to 75 % with the aid of a frequency converter in order to reduce the electrical consumption. Such an efficiency measure allows energy savings to be made on each individual casting cell. In addition, the increased communication between the casting machine and the filter system forms the basis for many safety-relevant measures in the area of fire protection and occupational safety, such as car start/stop or emergency control.

With the uniform interface standard OPC UA, peripheral devices will in future be seamlessly integrated into the foundries' production processes. Standardization and automation lead to time and cost advantages in the foundry and create flexibility in production.

This article is based on a press release by KMA Umwelttechnik GmbH.

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