Data exchange in Industry 4.0 is becoming increasingly demanding

OPC UA (for Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) has established itself as an interface standard for data exchange in the area of Industry 4.0 and IIoT and replaces OPC DA (also known as OPC Classic). OPC UA uses the platform-neutral TCP/IP protocol; users can now choose operating systems other than Windows or software from other manufacturers. The major advantage that OPC UA offers as a standardised interface: all machines, devices, and computers integrated into the network can communicate with each other, even if they come from different manufacturers.

Best performance, high data security – ACCON OPC UA Server

DELTA LOGIC has developed the ACCON OPC UA Server software specifically for applications in Siemens S7 and SINUMERIK environments. It enables secure data transfer between OPC servers and clients and Siemens controllers with outstanding performance. The ACCON OPC UA Server supports optimised data blocks as well as the online symbol import of S7-1200 and S7-1500 controllers.

Since version 1.1, the SINUMERIK 840D solutionline, SINUMERIK 840D powerline, and 810D powerline machine tool controllers have been supported in addition to the various S7 PLCs. This gives ACCON OPC UA Server a wealth of options for making industrial communication in modern automated manufacturing processes more efficient. Even if OPC Classic is still widely used in older production systems, DELTA LOGIC recommends switching to the future-proof OPC UA standard – especially with a view to greater data security.

Communication libraries for specific solutions

In some cases, data exchange between PC and PLC via a standardised interface is not possible – either because the interface is not offered at all or because the OPC UA protocol does not contain the desired functions. In such cases, a communication library such as ACCON AGLink from DELTA LOGIC is the solution with which the desired data can be processed in a customised manner. In contrast to OPC UA, programming knowledge is required, but the options available to users are significantly greater and more diverse.

ACCON AGLink ensures fast and secure data exchange between PCs or servers and PLCs, independent of operating systems and programming languages. The communication library has been developed primarily for Siemens environments and offers support for controllers of the S7-200/300/400, S7-1200, and S7-1500 series, including access to the optimised data blocks, also for TIA Portal V20. The scope of services includes support for SINUMERIK 840D sl, 840D pl, and 810D pl. From version 6.0, SINUMERIK ONE and Create MyVirtual Machine are supported, as well as the SIEMENS encryption protocol Secure Communication (TLS 1.3) for maximum data security. Users can choose between various individual and developer licenses.

Two paths, one partner

Whichever communication method users choose: DELTA LOGIC is their high-performance partner for both standard and customised solutions for industrial communication. High performance, great user-friendliness and the best customer support are typical of the “Schwabenware”. For many products, DELTA LOGIC offers a maintenance contract that includes the Software Update Service (SUS). This means that users receive all updates by e-mail for the duration of the contract and are kept up to date on firmware changes or new CPU types.