OMAC NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Infantino
(919) 990-9287
jinfantino@isa.org
OMAC Approves PackAL Guidelines
Library increases software programming efficiencies and improves machine-to-machine communication
Research Triangle Park, NC (10 March 2006) - The OMAC Packaging Workgroup (OPW) approved the PackAL guidelines at their meeting in Orlando, Florida. PackAL will be added to the OPW Guidelines for Packaging Machinery Automation. An updated version of these guidelines is scheduled to be released in April.
PackAL is an application library of common software elements used in packaging applications that was developed by the PackSoft subgroup of the OPW. The application library is made up of twenty-three functions.
Thirteen functions are machine functions, such as wind/unwind, dancer control, registration, and indexing. Nine functions are communication functions for horizontal line communications, and one function is for the PackML machine state model.
The PackAL application library creates a common look and feel in software elements for functionality, communication and machine organization in packaging machinery. There are many benefits to machine builders and end users.
Gerd Hoppe, CTO, Beckoff Automation N.A., leads the technical subcommittee for PackSoft.
"The benefits are considerable for both machine builders and end-users:
the organization of machine communication and commonly used functions facilitates seamless machine programming across control platforms and between machines from different vendors," said Hoppe.
Flexibility for PackAL users is guaranteed with the ability to scale between basic and enhanced functions. Also, a compliance statement describes which parts of the PackAL Library are supported by each vendor's product.
"Horizontal machine integration becomes easier and a common coding platform is maintained for machine builders," Hoppe said. "End users are freed from unnecessary programming efforts, gain the ability to quickly understand and maintain machine code and, as a result, can spend more of their valuable time working on process-specific solutions."
At the Orlando meeting, three vendors (Bosch Rexroth, Siemens, and
Beckhoff) announced PackAL libraries as an add-on to their respective control platforms.
Additional information on PackAL is available on the PackSoft portion of the OMAC website (www.omac.org/packsoft).
About ISA
Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
About WBF
WBF provides an open forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes. Created in 1994, members of the non-profit, professional organization include end-users, vendors, consultants and academics. WBF provides organization, management, and structure to facilitate networking among its members and sharing of knowledge and information related to manufacturing processes. WBF documents best practices and guidelines for implementation of standards that apply to batch control and the exchange of batch data, as well as conducting technical conferences and technical training programs. WBF is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org). More information about WBF is available at www.wbf.org.
About OMAC
OMAC–The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users’ Group (www.omac.org) is an affiliate organization of ISA- The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society- and works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
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