Requirements and solutions to software encapsulation and engineering in next generation manufacturing systems: OOONEIDA approach

This paper addresses the solutions enabling agile development, deployment and re-configuration of software-intensive automation systems both in discrete manufacturing and process technologies. As the key enabler for reaching the required level of flexibility of such systems, the paper discusses the issues of encapsulation, integration and re-use of the automation intellectual property (IP). The goals can be fulfilled by the use of a vendor-independent concept of a reusable portable and scalable software module (function block), as well as by a vendor-independent automation device model. This paper also discusses the requirements of the methodology for the application of such modules in the time- and cost-effective specification, design, validation, realization and deployment of intelligent mechatronic components in distributed industrial automation and control systems. A new global initiative OOONEIDA is presented, that targets these goals through the development of the automation object concept based on the recognized industrial standards IEC61131, IEC61499, IEC61804 and unified modelling language (UML); and through the creation of the technological infrastructure for a new, open-knowledge economy for automation components and automated industrial products. In particular, a web-based repository for standardized automation solutions will be developed to serve as an electronic-commerce facility in industrial automation businesses.