A new way to manage communication in automated industrial environments
Released in 2008 by the Open Platform Communications Foundation, the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is a communication protocol for industrial automation systems. This standard improved and simplified the data exchange and interconnectivity between programmable logic controllers, HMIs, servers, and other machinery in industrial plants, thus reducing the risk of errors during production processes.
This type of communication, immediate, precise and, above all, based on a unique language, is essential for companies that use industrial automation of any kind. If machines did not use the same communication system, their ability to operate efficiently would be severely hampered.
What is OPC UA?
From a technical point of view, the OPC UA is an open-source system, platform and protocol independent, which integrates all the features of the classic OPC in an extensible framework.
The OPC UA allows companies to provide all the technical specifications of the original protocol, but at a higher level. Not only the ability to work on each operating system, the quality of security, the ability to expand and the ability to model information haven't been affected in any way, but they have been improved, in order to ensure impeccable and higher performances than those obtained previously.
Thanks to the new protocol, companies will no longer have to worry about interoperability between equipment produced by different suppliers and, at the same time, they will not have to intervene in any way on existing machinery; the OPC server will take care of converting the old communication protocol of the equipment into the OPC protocol.
The advantages generated by managing a plant through the OPC UA protocol are countless. First of all, it's easier to manage industrial assets and their yields; secondly, since the OPC UA has been built from the point of view of computer security, the risks of cybernetic attacks are reduced. Finally, the use of the new communication system offers benefits even in case of maintenance needs: technicians can remotely control the operation of the activities and make repairs without the need for travel.
The OPC UA and companies that use machinery with obsolete components
Another great advantage brought by the introduction of the OPC UA is the possibility for companies to continue to operate in all efficiency and serenity while using obsolete machinery.
More and more frequently, the continuous introduction on the market of the latest generation of machinery has made it difficult for entrepreneurs in the industrial sector to use their equipment because of the interoperability problems between old and new systems.
Today, thanks to the OPC UA, companies operating in this field can continue their activities and carry out their planned obsolescence plans without fear of unexpected failures.
Since we specialize in providing technical support for components for electronics and industrial automation, Renovis Replace & Repair can support firms that use machinery with obsolete components as part of their daily routine.
Selling all types of obsolete components and offering first-class repair and exchange services, our company has always been a partner for industrial activities around the world.
By relying on us, companies using the OPC UA communication protocol will be able to keep their production facilities up and running through the searching of obsolete spare parts, as well as reducing downtime in the event of malfunctions or unplanned failures. Thanks to outsourcing activities, we restock our warehouse daily to guarantee the constant presence of many different spare parts to the customers .
To request a quote or for more information about our services, please contact us.
