Research Triangle Park, NC - 8 August 2007 - The OMAC Packaging Workgroup (OPW) will be showcasing the "Benefits of Packaging Line Integration" in their booth at Pack Expo 2007. The booth will include demonstrations from nine different companies highlighting the ease of integrating the various packaging line functions (control, HMI, MES) when utilizing the Connect-and-Pack guidelines of PackML and PackTags over Ethernet using OPC. The OPW Booth will be located at Booth 953 in the Association Pavilion of Pack Expo in the central hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, 15-17 October. Connect-and-Pack guidelines make packaging operations more effective by simplifying customization and integration, which enables world class packaging operations.
When implemented, packaging companies and their partners gain a competitive advantage as they leverage an integrated supply chain to optimize operations. The nine companies with demonstration units in the OPW Booth are Acumence, B&R, Beckhoff, Elau, GE Fanuc, Iconics, Kepware, Siemens, and Wago. Companies demonstrating control functions are B&R, Beckhoff, Elau, GE Fanuc, Kepware, Siemens, and Wago. The four companies demonstrating HMI functions are B&R, GE Fanuc, Iconics, and Siemens. Acumence, Iconics, and Siemens are also demonstrating MES functions.
Each sponsor is developing their own demonstration following the OPW Connect-and-Pack Guidelines. Each HMI and MES function in the demonstrations will be able to communicate with every controller function in the demonstrations by using the PackTags specification, which is part of the OPW Guidelines. All of the PackTags communication will be done over Ethernet using OPC. The OPC Foundation is cooperating with the OMAC Packaging Workgroup to verify the necessary integration of the demo units using OPC. The OPW Connect-and-Pack Guidelines, titled "Guidelines for Packaging Automation," were developed to make the parts of an integrated packaging line more plug-and-play.
The guidelines are available at www.omac.org/packaging .
About OMAC
OMAC The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users Group works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a charter member of The Automation Federation.