User Configurable Driver Function

Takebishi: Revolutionizing Manufacturing Communication with User Configurable Driver

In today’s data-driven manufacturing landscape, acquiring data at the source is crucial for effective analysis and monitoring. DeviceXPlorer OPC Server stands out with its built-in connectivity to over 400 series of field devices, offering a comprehensive solution for data conversion and a complete view of factory operations via OPC, MQTT, and HTTP (REST API). This wide range of connectivity, honed over 25 years, sets the standard for many common use cases. However, every site is unique, often employing specific measurement devices or bespoke data protocols developed in-house. Traditionally, manufacturers had to wait for new communication protocols to be added or exclude some operational data from their data systems.

Introducing User Configurable Driver in DeviceXPlorer OPC Server Version 7.4

To address these needs, the upcoming version 7.4 of DeviceXPlorer OPC Server, estimated for release in Spring 2025, will feature a groundbreaking function called User Configurable Driver. This new capability allows users to add their own protocols, enabling the configuration of comprehensive data systems that truly reflect all site operations. By converting proprietary protocols to global standards like OPC and MQTT, field-level data from various equipment, including sensors, scanners, and robots, can be viewed and analyzed to enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with security and environmental regulations. This facilitates visualization and predictive maintenance solutions, integrating IT and OT systems seamlessly.

Figure 1: The User Protocol Builder tool outputs JSON file definition for User Configurable Driver without any coding

Seamless Integration of Previously Unconnected Devices

Implementing data systems in factories can be time-consuming, as each machine may use its own communication protocol. Previously, avoiding data silos required manual workarounds or complex systems developed by specialized engineers, which did not scale well and failed to anticipate future data accumulation trends. The new GUI-based input of commands and responses allows the transmission of packet contents without specialized knowledge. The readability of these user-configured protocols also enhances scalability for various systems and use cases, with JSON files that can be reused at other locations.

Benefits of Fully Integrated Data Systems

With the increasing complexity of manufacturing sites, fully integrated data systems are essential for optimizing operations. With access to the protocol specifications, it is possible to set up new communication drivers with the GUI-based tool, eliminating the need for programming knowledge. Communication between DeviceXPlorer OPC Server and the target machine is established by defining a series of requests and responses based on the protocol specification. The configured definitions are saved as a JSON file which can be imported to other instances, enabling highly versatile and scalable communication drivers for a wide range of devices, including sensors, scanners, and robots. By leveraging fully integrated data systems, manufacturers can achieve a holistic view of their operations, driving better decision-making and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

Figure 2: Communication is established by defining a series of requests and response messages based on the packet specifications of the target machine

Conclusion

With the introduction of User Configurable Driver in DeviceXPlorer OPC Server version 7.4, Takebishi is expanding on the existing framework of base connectivity drivers included in OPC servers and empowering manufacturers to create data systems that are as unique as their operations. This innovation ensures that no data is left behind, paving the way for more efficient, compliant, and scalable manufacturing processes, while also giving users the tools to keep up with future advances in technology.