OMAC Packaging Workgroup Approves PackTags Version 3

Research Triangle Park, NC (23 January 2007) -- The OMAC Packaging Workgroup Executive Committee has approved PackTags Version 3. PackTags are data elements that have been defined by the OMAC Packaging Workgroup to facilitate easy data exchange between packaging machines and with their supporting systems (e.g. HMI, MES, and ERP systems).
PackTags support the PackML guidelines, a set of packaging machine language guidelines also developed by the OMAC Packaging Workgroup. Version 3 of PackTags has been updated to support additional functionality added in the recently approved PackML Version 3 guidelines. Packaging machines that follow PackTags and the PackML guidelines can be more easily integrated into a packaging line and their associated manufacturing execution (MES) systems, minimizing engineering costs and reducing project schedules.
PackTags defines fundamental names of the data elements or “tags” as well as the data types, values, ranges and, where necessary, data structures. In this version, PackTags has been expanded and adapted to support multi-mode functionality added with PackML Version 3. It has also been expanded to take advantage of the new naming conventions in today’s PLC’s. PackTags Version 3.0 also takes into account remote controller and computer access for PackML tags.
PackML and PackTags are supported by a number of technology providers and packaging machine OEM’s, including the five machine builders (ADCO, Douglas Machine, Markem, Pneumatic Scale, RA Jones) and seventeen technology suppliers (AMK, B&R, Baldor, Baumuller, Beckhoff, Bosch Rexroth, Danfoss, Elau, Lenze, Lust, Parker Hannifin, Rockwell Automation, SEW, Siemens, Wago, Wonderware, Yaskawa) that were sponsors at the OPW Booth at PackExpo 2006.
PackTags Version 3 is posted on the OMAC Packaging Workgroup website (www.omac.org/packaging) and is available for download.