MTP

Plug & operate autonomous machines with the Module Type Package

Standardized interfaces and the semantic description of autonomous machines enable the flexible orchestration of autonomous machines and Process Equipment Assemblies (PEAs) into a modular system. The “Module Type Package (MTP)” technology, which was developed jointly by NAMUR, ZVEI and PNO, opens up new dimensions of system flexibility and interoperability.

Machine, production cell, packaging unit, skid, Process Equipment Assembly—the terms used for largely autonomous, intelligent units within a system differ from industry to industry. The integration of these units into a higher-level orchestrated system has been solved to the greatest possible extent on the communication level thanks to seamless Ethernet-based communication. The concept of modular automation comprised of standardized interface elements and their semantic description in the Module Type Package enables integration of the smart, autonomous units into the orchestrating systems of the Process Orchestration Layer (POL) on the application level for the first time. All relevant aspects are addressed here:

• Integration of operating screens of the intelligent, autonomous units into the system-wide HMI in the orchestrating system of the POL
• Ability to orchestrate functions provided by the autonomous units to create a desired product on the system
• Integration of the alarms and messages of the autonomous units into a higher-level, system-wide alarm system
• Integration of diagnostic and life cycle information from the autonomous units into a higher-level diagnostic or asset-management system

The individual aspects have been described previously in the VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 guideline. In the future, this guideline will be replaced with a common specification for technology from NAMUR, ZVEI and PNO. This guideline and the associated conformance tests are developed by joint working groups.