Efficient engineering with a hands-on approach

OPC UA remains a key communication technology, offering a wide range of functions for modeling simple to complex information models. While it provides many opportunities, it can overwhelm new users. Phoenix Contact addresses this with intuitive solutions and application examples.

In Industry 4.0, OPC UA is a key technology for mapping and accessing complex data. Driven by the OPC Foundation, it is based on three pillars:

• Data modeling: Enables creation of complex information models with companion standards for specific assets or technologies.
• Security: Includes encrypted data transmission and role-based access management.
• Communication: Supports client/server and pub/sub paradigms for data exchange.

Due to its complexity, OPC UA can be challenging for new users. To simplify this, Phoenix Contact offers an OPC UA portfolio within the PLCnext Technology ecosystem, providing application examples, open-source software tools, and clear documentation to support various communication cases.

PLCnext Store with a package of simple and complex examples

All OPC UA-related control components, including client and pub/sub licenses and application examples, are available on the PLCnext Store. The marketplace offers example packages for PLC-based clients and pub/sub communication, each with simple and complex examples, plus commissioning and operation instructions.

In the simple client example, the client reads an incrementing variable from the server and writes a decrementing variable to the server. The complex client example simulates a remote-controlled storage container with functions for filling, pumping, and emptying. The simple pub/sub example involves two controllers, each publishing and subscribing to one variable, with one variable incrementing and the other decrementing. The complex pub/sub example simulates a pallet warehouse and a conveyor system exchanging data via the OPC UA pub/sub model.

Support with intuitive software tools and understandable documentation

The open-source software tools are available on the PLCnext GitHub repository, including the eUA_Client_Configurator_Example, a C# tool for creating complex client configurations. The repository also provides comprehensive instructions and documentation. Additional OPC UA and PLCnext Technology resources can be accessed in the PLCnext Info Center.

The comprehensive OPC UA portfolio within PLCnext Technology, featuring examples, documentation, and open-source software, follows a hands-on approach. This allows both inexperienced and experienced users to efficiently implement their specific use cases.

OPC UA portfolio in the context of the PLCnext ecosystem

The OPC UA portfolio within the PLCnext ecosystem from Phoenix Contact includes:

• Intuitive configurability for controllers and advanced users
• Trial licenses for all fee-based OPC UA components (client and pub/sub)
• Simple and complex application examples for various communication scenarios
• Open-source software tools
• Clear and easy-to-understand documentation

Read more about about OPC UA.