Focus on OPC UA

 

OPC suite

A new version of the dataFEED OPC Suite with REST Connector and support for NoSQL databases is now available. The REST Connector allows data from automation networks to be integrated into applications supporting REST protocols. Data may originate from a variety of sources, including control systems from leading manufacturers or OPC UA or OPC Classic servers. With the support of write access to NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB, the suite is suited for IoT and Industry 4.0 applications.

REST protocols are used in particular for communication with cloud-based applications, such as the production performance manager of Bosch Software Innovations. NoSQL databases enable high-performance processing of very large amounts of data. They are thus often the basis for advanced analysis methods (big data analytics), which can be used for predictive maintenance.

The suite has a full package of components for OPC and IoT cloud communication within a single product. In addition to the integrated REST interface, the MQTT gateway and OPC UA support enable integration of legacy and new controllers into cloud solutions, such as Microsoft Azure or IBM Bluemix. The graphical user interface with intelligent, practice-oriented default settings and intuitive user guidance facilitates system integration.
Softing
https://company.softing.com

Connectivity software

The KEPServerEX version 6.1 connectivity software is an evolution of version 6 that strengthens the industrial connectivity platform's core server functionalities that support operational intelligence and the development and deployment of IIoT solutions. Important updates include an enhanced OPC UA client driver, expanded configuration API capabilities, and connectivity mapping features.

Version 6.1 includes OPC UA client driver updates and Siemens Plus Suite. Users now have full access to controllers with embedded OPC UA servers. For example, users with S7-1500 controllers or next-generation B&R devices can now access their data using OPC UA connectivity. Updates to the OPC UA client driver include support for OPC UA Nano profile servers, as well as complex data types.
Kepware
www.kepware.com

OPC UA Wrapper

The OPC UA Wrapper enables OPC UA clients to communicate with classic OPC servers. It supports OPC Data Access, OPC Historical Data Access, and OPC Alarms & Events servers. The wrapper acts as a bridge between classic OPC servers connected to the network and OPC UA clients by mapping the address space of classic OPC servers to the address space of an OPC UA server.

The wrapper is also a gateway that gives OPC Unified Architecture clients access to COM/DCOM-based OPC servers as if they were OPC UA servers. It supports not only multiple local and remote OPC DA/HDA/AE servers per service, but also multiple wrapper services running at the same time. This multiconnected bridge exposes any OPC server data as the OPC UA server's data.

The OPC UA Wrapper supports two types of communication protocols: TCP and HTTP. All created wrappers run as services in the background. The wrapper includes a configuration tool that reduces configuration efforts. With this graphical user interface, users can create, edit, start, and stop services and configure security settings. Security features include establishing secure communication channels, keeping track of sessions, using encryption, and signing messages. The security modes to be used, along with user identity tokens, can be chosen, managed, and changed by the user from the configuration tool. The wrapper records messages in log files using different logging levels, so end users can track the execution and diagnose problems.
Integration Objects
www.integrationobjects.com

Air and gas flowmeters

The MT100 series air and gas flowmeters combine electronics technology with precision flow sensors in a package designed for demanding plant operating environments. They provide temperature-compensated direct mass flow measurement of air and gases for precise, repeatable measurement with low maintenance requirements in large diameter pipes, stacks, and rectangular duct installations. In electric power generation, petrochemical refineries, and other heavy industries, large diameter pipes and ducts present unique challenges for flowmeter installation and performance. Hot, moist, or dirty gases, along with distorted flow profiles, low flow rates, and wide turndown rates are common performance challenges. The MT100 series is available with two-to-eight flow-rate sensing points to overcome these issues. Multiple sensors are inserted at various depths within a pipe, and their outputs are multiplexed and averaged to produce the flow rate within the process line.

The MT100 meter's sensors can be installed either across a mast or at multiple points around the process line in a single plane. In large stack applications, this means that the instrument installation can be done at a single platform location to save money compared to other technologies.
Wireless Industrial Networks
www.fluidcomponents.com