McLean, Va. (June 6, 2022) – The MTConnect Institute, the standards development organization that maintains the MTConnect standard, announces the release of MTConnect Version 2.0. The Institute previously submitted MTConnect Version 1.8 to ANSI. The 2.0 version of the free, open, model-based standard that supports semantics for discrete manufacturing is a significant advancement from previous versions.
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 include:
Information can be cross-referenced to reduce duplication and increase usability
Integrated relations and searches 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
The release package includes the following:
The normative canonical MTConnect data model as XMI
SysML web portal with searchable index
Schema files as XML and JSON
PDF text documents generated from the normative XMI
Version 2.0 also includes the following additional components and data items:
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
Part counts
The MTConnect standard is produced and maintained by volunteers from industry via the MTConnect Institute Standards Committee (SC) and its working groups. In addition to new data items, Version 2.0 saw the first normative SysML model with XML Model Interchange (XMI) available for integration into applications and development workflows.
The MTConnect Institute also made significant enhancements to the MTConnect Agent for this release. The Agent is a rewrite of the previous version, using a modern HTTP server and pluggable architecture. The new Agent features are as follows:
Support for TLS and certificates for encryption and authentication
Extensible plug-in architecture for incoming and outgoing protocols and data transformations
Third-party plug-ins include: OPC UA MTConnect Companion Spec, NC-Link, Kafka, Influx-Db, and OPC UA and MQTT data sources
Embedded mruby scripting engine for dynamic transformation
Agent-to-agent replication and aggregation
Full-featured HTTPS server for static files with compression
Digital-twin three.js-based visualization demo included
MTConnect Institute President Doug Woods said, “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.”
View and download MTConnect Version 2.0 at https://model.mtconnect.org/.
Download the Version 2.0 MTConnect C++ Agent at https://github.com/mtconnect/cppagent.
Download documents for Version 2.0 and previous MTConnect releases at https://docs.mtconnect.org/.
MTConnect Contact:
Tim Shinbara
MTConnect Institute
703-827-5243
tshinbara@AMTonline.org
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MTConnect is an open, royalty-free standard that provides a semantic vocabulary for manufacturing devices. It reduces the cost and complexity of system integration and fosters interoperability for the factory.
The MTConnect Institute is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit standards-development organization for the MTConnect standard. The Institute is a subsidiary of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. The Institute produces open technical standards and specifications as well as schema, prototype software examples, and related documentation to facilitate implementation of the MTConnect specification in compliant applications, drivers, and other services.
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology is a 501(c)(6) trade association committed to advancing the manufacturing technology industry by facilitating the adoption of transformative technologies; fostering community and partnerships; producing events that create new business opportunities; supporting global business growth; and enhancing industry knowledge about technology, legislation, and workforce development.
