Easy it connectivity for machine tools

The implementation of umati (universal machine tool interface), which enables machine tools to exchange and share information efficiently, has tremendous potential for optimising production. Mitsubishi Electric, together with more than 50 machine tool manufacturers, is helping to show how the digitalisation of production can be achieved in a joint live umati demonstration during the EMO 2019 exhibition.

The networking of machines, systems and software is described as “one of the most important trends in manufacturing” by the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW). The organisation also states that “today’s customers expect to be able to integrate new machines into their own IT ecosystems with no difficulty” and that umati is designed to achieve this “easily, quickly and securely”.

Using umati1  can help machines and devices to communicate efficiently through one language. It offers a common interface using the international interoperability standard OPC UA. The VDW is describing umati as representing “a quantum leap in the implementation of Industry 4.0 in production.”

Frederik Gesthuysen, Marketing Manager CNC, Factory Automation EMEA, Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., confirms “We are supporting umati, as we believe it is an important technology and one of the key tools for realising the digitalisation of machine tools in manufacturing industry.”

CNC and factory automation solutions from Mitsubishi Electric at EMO 2019 are located at: Hall 9 / D40.

Wire cutting and die sinking EDM machines from Mitsubishi Electric are located at: Hall 13 / B92.

1The acronym “umati” stands for “universal machine tool interface”. It is intended to become a standardised, open, flexible and secure interface to connect machine tools to higher-level IT systems in production environments (e.g. ERP, MES, or peripheral infrastructure like cloud storage).

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