Uniform standards for Industry 4.0

InterOpera makes it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to get started with Industry 4.0. Because if there are standardized sub-models for the management shell, networking machines and systems is possible at a much lower cost and in a shorter time. © University of Stuttgart IFF / Fraunhofer IPA, Photo: Rainer Bez, Heike Quosdorf

In the research project "InterOpera", funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, researchers are working together with industry to develop uniform methods for implementing the administration shell in practice. The project, in which the Fraunhofer IPA and the Standardization Council Industry 4.0 supported by VDE DKE are involved under the coordination of the Steinbeis Europe Center, introduces itself.

Until now, each company has connected its machines individually and analyzed the data accessible through these connections. A time-consuming and costly endeavor, which is even unaffordable for some small or medium-sized enterprises. However, new digital solutions not only make production more efficient and thus more profitable. They also enable all links in a supply chain to be seamlessly connected into a collaborative value creation network with minimal effort.

However, this requires interoperability. Therefore, a tool is needed that defines a standardized and seamless exchange of information between all actors in a uniform manner. In other words: all machines, regardless of which company they are in and which manufacturer they come from, should be able to receive and transmit important information as a unified package and in the same language.

To ensure this standardized exchange of information, all systems and components in the collaborative value creation network are surrounded by a so-called administration shell. Like a digital twin, it models all objects and thus provides the interface for Industry 4.0 communication. The administration shell is therefore composed of many different sub-models that describe properties and features in detail.

50 standardized sub-models for the administration shell

In the "InterOpera" research project, in which the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA is involved, the focus is now on a standardized implementation of the administration shell in practice. The goal is to develop 50 concrete, practical, and interoperable sub-models of the administration shell for as many business areas as possible along the so-called Reference Architecture Model Industry 4.0 (RAMI 4.0). The model summarizes the essential aspects of Industry 4.0 and allows highly flexible Industry 4.0 concepts to be mapped and implemented. The task of the DigITools competence center at Fraunhofer IPA is to develop a general methodological approach for creating sub-models within the administration shell. To this end, a research team led by Olga Meyer, who heads the project at Fraunhofer IPA, will apply the developed methodology to model projects, develop sub-models with industry partners, validate the results, and then create a sub-model map. This map is intended to list, describe, and classify all known sub-models.

Call to manufacturing companies across Germany

Manufacturing companies from all over Germany are now invited to identify application cases for the sub-models. They will receive methodological support from scientists during the creation of the standardized sub-model. Initial information on the methodological assistance for modeling can be found here: https://www.sci40.com/interopera.

Concrete application cases as assignments and benefits

Along the collaborative value chain, InterOpera connects manufacturing companies and their specific application cases with experts and relevant Industry 4.0 working groups. The initiative thus involves stakeholders from multiple application areas and plans to create scalable solutions in production. InterOpera will not only make a significant contribution to harmonizing sub-models within the administration shell but also provide best practice examples through implementation and rollout activities. These will be mapped into uniform information models as well as digital business processes. This makes it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to enter digital transformation. Because if standardized sub-models for the administration shell exist, networking machines and systems becomes possible at much lower costs and in a shorter time.

About InterOpera

The project InterOpera, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, makes a concrete contribution to the field of interoperability in cooperation with the Industry 4.0 platform. Initiated by and supported by the platform and its partners ZVEI, VDMA, and Bitkom, the concept is directly linked to the Industry 2030 vision. The development of 50 sub-models of the administration shell, which are concrete, practical, and interoperable for as many business areas as possible and usable with a unified approach, aims to further expand the strategic framework for implementing digital business models in Germany and Europe. Through long-term standardization of sub-models and the expansion of the digital ecosystem for the administration shell, flexible production and resource efficiency are supported across the industry. The VDI Technology Center is the project supervisor. InterOpera is carried out by the Steinbeis Europe Center, Fraunhofer IPA, and the Standardization Council Industry 4.0 supported by the VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies.