OPC UA is an open interface standard that defines the mechanisms of cooperation in the industrial environment. It enables to digitally network the production in the mechanical engineering sector. Machines and plants can thus be redesigned as required via plug & work - regardless of the manufacturer of the machines and components in production. Together with its member companies, the VDMA develops OPC UA Companion Specifications, also for the surface technology sector.

The aim is to provide the user with standardized machine and process data and to significantly reduce the integration effort of these machines into a production process.

The VDMA is coordinating the activities of currently 26 working groups that define cross-industry machine-to-machine communication. OPC UA Companion Specifications have already been published for some machine types, and others are currently being developed.

For the second World Interoperability Conference (WIC), on April 20 at the HANNOVER MESSE 2020, a significant increase in the number of participants, which was already high at WIC 2019, is expected. The conference is organized by the VDMA together with partners such as the OPC Foundation and Deutsche Messe AG.

LABS guide

The guideline for the specifciation VDMA 24364 " Testing for paint wetting impairment substances (LABS-conformity)" was first published in 2018 and established at international level in very short time. Due to the high demand, an English and a Spanish language version is available in addition to the German version.

VDMA 24364 describes requirements for the testing of products for paint wetting impairing substances (LABS) based on a classification related to the intended use of the product. The VDMA LABS guide provides information on the practical implementation of the test and describes measures for LABS-compliant production.

At the SurfaceTechnology GERMANY 2020 in Stuttgart, VDMA specialists will be available on the subject and look forward to a lively exchange with interested trade visitors.