Open connectivity made through open standards

That’s what it says on the brochure, but what does it mean to a developer of automated balancing machines like Universal Balancing, and what benefits does it give?

A typical Universal Balancing product consists of a machine (with various drives, encoders, air cylinders, sensors etc.), a PLC, an HMI software application, and our own bespoke Windows-based measuring system application WINBAL.

All of these components need to interoperate and communicate. By building OPC support into our measuring system application (WINBAL the software behind the powerful UNI-44) we immediately get interoperability with any OPC-enabled PLC and any OPC-enabled HMI software product. This gives us the ability to supply a machine utilising any vendors PLC product with no extra development necessary, since OPC immediately allows our application to communicate with that PLC. Less development means less cost, a more mature software base leading to greater reliability, and shorter lead times. Another great advantage is this allows easier upgrading of other manufacturers Automated machines which was previously only possible to the OEM.
Communication between the PLC and the measuring system software is by Ethernet. Previously, all the such communication was by physical wires. This wiring has been completely eliminated leading to reduced build time (with less scope for errors) and fewer potential points of failure leading to increased reliability and reduced maintenance.

To summarise, the advantages of using OPC for Universal Balancing are: Reduced software development costs, reduced hardware build costs, greater hardware and software reliability, and support for a wide base of PLC and HMI software products from a wide range of vendors. This is good for Universal Balancing, good for the suppliers of relevant OPC-enabled products, and above all good for customers.