Umati (universal machine tool interface) moved a step closer to becoming a generally accepted standard when the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) and the OPC Foundation established a Joint Working Group and invited interested parties to participate “with immediate effect”.

Alexander Broos, the project manager for Umati at the VDW (www.vdw.de), said at a recent press conference that the group will start its work this January.

“Interested members of the OPC Foundation, the VDW or affiliated associations who want to co-operate in the joint development of Umati towards a so-called Companion Specification of the OPC Foundation are welcome to contact us, thereby ensuring that the world-wide needs of customers and machine tool manufacturers are included in the standard.

“This will increase the acceptance of Umati as a globally accepted connectivity standard.”

Mr Broos said Umati passed a first crucial test during the AMB 2018 show in Stuttgart, when 15 machines from nine manufacturers with five control platforms were connected to numerous ‘communication partners’.

The exchange of data was based on an extract of the first parameter set that had been jointly defined at that point.

“The next important milestone for Umati will be a more extensive demonstration at EMO Hannover 2019.

“TAt the world’s leading trade fair for metal working, we want to present a significantly larger number of international partners participating in Umati.”

The VDW is currently engaged in intensive discussions with partner companies all over the world.

It is also working closely with ‘sister’ associations, including those in Europe, the USA, Japan, China and South Korea.