MTConnect Institute releases updated standard

The MTConnect Institute, the standards development organization that maintains the MTConnect standard located in McLean, Va., has released MTConnect Version 2.0. The Institute previously submitted MTConnect Version 1.8 to ANSI.

Version 2.0 of the free, open, model-based standard that supports semantics for discrete manufacturing is a significant advancement compared to previous versions, the developers report.

Starting with Version 2.0, the MTConnect information model is provided in SysML using an XMI Model Interchange (XMI) file rather than text documents. Benefits of a model-based standard over a text-based standard are:

• Information can be cross-referenced to reduce duplication and increase usability.
• Integrated relations and searches can be made across all sections.
• The machine-readable model allows direct and automated interpretation by software systems.
• The SysML model can represent all constraints and relationships and verify information using automated tools.

Version 2.0 also includes the following additional components and data items including maintenance, parts and processes, operational modes for various systems and components, support for recipes in heat-treat and other PLC-based equipment, initial support for fixtures, and part counts.

The MTConnect Institute also made significant enhancements to the MTConnect Agent for this release.

“This is a huge accomplishment for our SC members, as this is the first of its kind in our global manufacturing technology industry. Keeping pace with the rate of current tech advancement is critical and will continue to accelerate MTConnect development cycles and better support industrial scalability by optimizing standards harmonization,” said MTConnect Institute President Doug Woods.