umati: connecting the world of machinery

umati (universal machine technology interface) is the global initiative for open communication interfaces for the machine building industries and their customers. Machine builders, software producers, component suppliers, and users unite in a strong community to promote the use of open, standardized interfaces based on OPC UA companion specifications. umati ensures their identical implementation, provides a platform to exchange experiences, creates visibility in the market, and provides hands-on demonstration of added values at https://umati.app.

umati facilitates the data exchange between machines, components and installations and their integration into customer- and user-specific IT ecosystems – easily, seamlessly and securely.

umati is based on OPC UA, which provides a communication framework between devices on the shop floor. Standardized data models, which are defined in OPC UA Companion Specifications, can be easily expanded by customer or manufacturer specific data. For machinery, around 25 Companion Specifications for various technologies, such as Robotics, Measurement Systems, Plastics and Rubber Machinery, Woodworking, Machine Tools, etc., have been published. 30 more are under development. Additionally, the central companion specification "OPC UA for Machinery" contains basic building blocks which are crucial for the entire machine and plant engineering sector, e.g., identification, job management, energy monitoring.