Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/699765
36 SMT Magazine • July 2016 them the most sophisticated machines to un- derstand, which is nearly impossible without the use of OML. The Machine Vendor Environment and OML The limitations of machine-vendor-driven solutions are frustrating. As detailed and poten- tially valuable as they are, without the ability to expand the solutions beyond the machine envi- ronment means that factory-wide benefits, such as true Lean materials, visibility and control of shop-floor product WIP, routing and schedule, etc., are generally automatically excluded. With an OML connector to the machine vendor envi - ronment, all of the benefits obtained from the use of the machine-vendor solution can continue to be used, while providing the opportunity to con- nect all other processes and operational events from the whole factory. Where existing single ma- chine-vendor-based solutions are in place, a truly connected factory can be created without losing value from an existing investment. Expanding machine-vendor-provided solutions with OML will become much easier as machine vendors pro- duce the OML connector as a standard. As many such machine vendors come on-board with OML is a good time to make the request. Middleware with OML The middleware solution provides multiple ways to collect data from machines and other processes, including a requirement to integrate the middleware into existing factory applica- tions. OML represents a great opportunity for middleware providers to expand their limited of- ferings to more machines, especially as they offer native OML interfaces. The middleware should then be able to offer OML as an output, provid- ing a standard link for higher level systems and thus reducing the cost and work needed. In this way, site-based software solutions can easily gain access to data from machines, processes, and op- erations through the middleware where value may be added or directly. Perhaps this progres- sion makes the middleware redundant as value is realized in the early stages of the smart factory. An Established MES Solution with OML Investment in MES solutions, as well as ERP and other site-based software solutions, repre- sents a costly capital investment. In addition, the momentum of the operation of the facto- ry based on the system can mean that chang- ing from one EMS or ERP solution to another has significant costs, greater than the cost of the software. Rather than executing a change in these systems to realize improved solutions, OML can provide information to enhance the operation of legacy systems through one single, simple interface. The availability of accurate and timely information can bring a step-change increase in performance and value from exist- ing systems, which currently are compromised by lack of visibility of what is happening across the shop-floor. OML is ready today to bring the key information to existing systems, reducing cost of ownership while increasing value.Over- all, OML is a unique and critical enabler, not only for today's anticipated Internet of Manu- facturing-based Industry 4.0 or smart factory systems, but the specification can equally be applied to all cases of existing systems on the shop-floor to drive expansion, improvement, and cost-effectiveness. SMT Become a "fast follower," as a member of the OML community. Registration and downloading the OML specification is free, so becoming an OML development partner today is easy. Michael Ford is senior marketing development manager with Men- tor Graphics Corporation Valor divi- sion. To read past columns, or to contact the author, click here. " Expanding machine-vendor- provided solutions with OML will become much easier as machine vendors produce the OML connector as a standard. " INDUSTRY 4.0: MAKING THE FIRST MOVE