2018 marked by implementation

In late 2017, the Administration Shell Day brought together about 75 experts from AG1, research institutes, initiatives and companies. Ten projects were presented which all follow the basic principles of the Administration Shell developed by the Plattform and its partners, while applying different implementation approaches. The practical tests of the Administrative Shell have shown that the concept of a “digital image” is highly relevant in practice.

This meeting was merely the start of a consistent process of implementation: In order to further support the process surrounding the Administration Shell, projects can become actively involved in the newly established Sounding Board. Initiatives and projects are also invited to participate in the implementation of use-cases in testbeds supported by the ​Labs Network Industrie 4.0 (LNI). The tests are supported by Plattform Industrie 4.0’s sub-committee “UAG Cutting Edge Projects ” so as to ensure that the valuable knowledge gained from the tests can flow back into the work of the Plattform.

“We are on the home stretch and are getting ever closer to having a generally applicable language for Industrie 4.0. This is the cornerstone we need to ensure that objects, devices and systems are compatible in the world of digital industry – and that is precisely the goal that the Working Group is working hard to achieve”, insists Kai Garrels, Chair of the Working Group.

Partners contributing their know-how

Practical work also lies at the heart of the three large industry associations, which are closely involved with the Working Group’s work and are the main drivers of the Plattform’s concepts: the structure of ZVEI for instance is a mirror image of the Plattform’s structure and among other aspects they have established the mirror group “Models and Standards”. They are working on a publication entitled “The Administration Shell in Detail”, which brings together all the knowledge and suggestions on the Administration Shell, providing a sort of blueprint summarised in a single publication. Together with Working Group experts, VDMA is currently working on so-called Companion Standards for the Communication Protocol OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA). The aim is to create the appropriate vocabulary for specific industries and to determine a standardised approach for developing partial models by providing practical instructions. BITKOM is also dealing with communication protocols and addressing the issue within its sub-committee “Communication”.

Results receive international recognition

Over the last months, Plattform Industrie 4.0’s experts on standardisation have laid solid foundations for achieving their aims. RAMI 4.0, which was developed by the Plattform and for the first time brings together the essential technological elements of Industrie 4.0 in a unified model, has been defined as an international pre-standard (IEC PAS 63088). Furthermore, the Working Group is successfully cooperating with the United States and has contributed to the German and American models being mapped together. It is also an important partner for international standardisation bodies and collaborates closely with the ​Standardization Council Industrie 4.0 (SCI4.0), thereby ensuring that Working Group AG1’s results have an impact on international standardization processes. In addition, AG1 is designing an interaction model describing how Industrie 4.0 components can establish contact with each other via specific patterns of interaction in order to carry out tasks.

RAMI 4.0 and the Administration Shell – What is it?
	RAMI 4.0 is the "Reference architecture model Industrie 4.0" which has been developed by Plattform Industrie 4.0. In figurative terms, RAMI 4.0 is a three-dimensional map which breaks down the complex processes involved in Industrie 4.0 – providing them as manageable packages for all participants (including data protection and IT security).
	The model works if all Industrie 4.0 participants can understand one another and can communicate with each other – in a unified way across the globe. This is precisely where the concept of the Administration Shell comes into play: The Administration Shell is the interface between the physical object and Industrie 4.0 communication. According to the concept of the Administration Shell, each relevant object is provided with its own Administration Shell – its own digital image, allowing it to be integrated into Industrie 4.0. The Administration Shell is made up of so-called partial models, in which information that belongs together is collected, such as “documentation”, “ordering” or “drilling”. In the “drilling” partial model, an Administration Shell would for instance describe a drill in the virtual world, providing it with a unique ID, and describing its features and qualities. It would contain information, for example about how heavy the machine is and what it is capable of. The Administration Shell makes it possible to access all information on an object, making it the standardised communication interface within the network. More information on the concept of the Administration Shell can be found here. Another important aspect which enables the concept of the Administration Shell to function: a unique Industrie 4.0 language. This is necessary for exchanges to take place between Administrative Shells/their objects on their content and resulting interactions. The Interaction Model provided by Working Group AG1 describes how this can be achieved via specific interaction patterns. More information can be found here.