Small plate – huge effect

Identification of products, components, machines and systems, and provision of relevant information play a key role in industry. In theory, all documentation (including subordinate products and components) should be directly available at the parts of every system. However, this is not how it works in practice, as often it is not possible to access the relevant information, data and documents at any time. Generally, lack of space alone makes it impossible for documentation to be stored directly at the system. What's more, there are other challenges, starting with documentation in different languages, to updates and sensible, practical storage of information and data (such as maintenance reports) over the whole service life of a system.

Now, you could argue that increasing digitalisation is making this easier. But this is not the case. Granted, in many companies, accompanying software applications are being used to maintain uninterrupted operation of the system, including asset management systems and document management systems, as well as maintenance and service software. But in order to be used, these systems also have to be filled out with all the data for the systems and components used, requiring the user to put in a great deal of manual effort since data can often only be updated by hand.

Digital nameplates, in combination with digital twins based on the asset administration shell (AAS for short), provide a suitable solution for these problems. This combination allows you to access all available information and documents for a system, machine or component – any time, anywhere. The only technical requirement here is a smartphone or tablet with integrated camera and an Internet connection. In order to access the information for an asset, all you have to do is scan the corresponding code on the printed rating plate.

Digital nameplates are a development of existing, printed rating plates. To link the digital information model to the real product (asset), the printed rating plate is extended to include a QR code, RFID code or 2D data matrix code. A special frame is printed around the code to make the digital nameplate easy to identify. A link to the manufacturer platform and the serial number of the asset are coded into the QR code, RFID code or 2D data matrix code attached to the rating plate. The combination of serial number and manufacturer link is globally unique, suitable for distinct identification of an asset. At the same time, all information and documents associated with a serial number can be called up using it. The exact specifications for a digital nameplate are described in detail in IEC 61406 (formerly DIN SPEC 91406). The marking according to IEC 61406 may be used free of charge by companies. Thanks to this mechanism, the printed rating plate serves as a signpost to the digital twin.

Digital twins are almost excessively talked about in industry. Often what companies mean by this is a simulation model which is created and provided in their own formats. There are considerable differences between these and digital twins based on an asset administration shell.

Asset administration shells are data models that have been described in manufacturer-independent specifications. They have essentially been developed by the "Industrial Digital Twin Association" (IDTA), an organisation bringing together over 80 companies, associations and universities. Member companies include many notable names in the supplier industry. The aim of the IDTA is to establish asset administration shells and develop submodels.

Asset administration shells set themselves apart as data models thanks to their interoperability. By using classifications, e.g. ECLASS, all information can be easily imported into software environments, such as an ERP or asset management system. Standardised REST API interfaces are available to exchange information in system-independent applications.

Asset administration shells are divided into submodels, which contain the corresponding information regarding the asset. This covers all aspects over one product lifetime. Asset administration shells are of particular interest in the following areas:

• Digital engineering: With an asset administration shell, all relevant data can be transferred for digital engineering. In future, it will form the foundation for digital engineering. Typically, 3D and ECAD models, technical data and dimensional drawings are stored in an asset administration shell for this purpose.
• Simulation: With asset administration shells, simulation models, as well as the required data for simulations, can be transferred.
• Transfer of core data: Asset administration shells can be used to transfer data across the industry's whole value creation chain much more efficiently, thereby saving resources. A complete data transfer is possible, starting with the smallest screw, components and machines through to the whole system via all companies involved. The data from asset administration shells can be used for integrating product data in ERP or asset management systems. This is currently a manual job in many companies, which is often carried out in a rudimentary way owing to resource reasons.
• Document management: In the asset administration shell, documents can be transferred via the "Handover documentation" submodel. VDI 2770 serves as a basis, which requires additional classifications and descriptions for each document. This simplifies automatic inclusion of documents in a document management system.
• Communication between machines: In networked systems, machines can communicate with each other for the purposes of Industry 4.0 using the asset administration shell. Via the asset administration shell, for example, machines are able to order a service themselves.
• Use as a "digital product passport": System engineers, mechanical builders and users can further build up the data in the asset administration shell. This may include information such as the installation location, wiring details, parameterisation, repair information and maintenance details.
• Controlling production: Asset administration shells can be used to control production so that it takes place autonomously. Data from a configurator, for example, can interact directly with production thanks to an asset administration shell.

The examples show that there are now very few limits to the possible uses of asset administration shells. However, it is precisely this that makes it difficult to identify the required applications. Particularly in the case of existing systems with a lower degree of networking, many users may question the benefit of digital nameplates and asset administration shells.