The collaborative robots from Universal Robots now support the open interface standard OPC UA. The Norwegian UR+ partner Rocketfarm has developed a software solution for this that users can configure both on the client side via the robot and on the server side. This makes the UR cobots compatible with all OPC UA-capable devices. This should enable more secure data transfer and better digital integration of the cobots in production environments.

Digitally integrating cobots
The open, manufacturer-neutral OPC UA interface standard guarantees the secure exchange of data and information between different machines and systems. "OPC UA is increasingly establishing itself as a prerequisite for the realization of Industry 4.0 projects and as a reliable standard for industrial communication," explains Helmut Schmid, Managing Director Universal Robots (Germany) and Sales Director Western and Northern Europe. "By ensuring the appropriate compatibility of our cobots, we enable users to better integrate their robotics solutions into networked production environments. This allows them to benefit from more efficient monitoring and controlling processes. Connection to SAP systems is also possible."

"We have been seeing a growing demand for OPC UA compatibility of our cobots for some time now," reports Christian Fenk, EMEA Manager of the UR+ ecosystem. "The fact that our robots now support this standard opens up numerous new application possibilities for users across all industries."

Software available via UR+ ecosystem
The new software solution was developed by UR+ partner Rocketfarm and can be obtained via the UR+ ecosystem. A 30-day demo version is also available to users there. "We originally developed the software for a local user in the manufacturing industry," explains Egil Mundal, CEO of Rocketfarm. "However, in view of the extensive benefits, we thought it made sense to make this functionality available to anyone who wants to use their cobots with OPC UA. Finally, we have developed a version that is fully compatible with the standard, including its safety features." The software is based on the URCap interface and is easy to install.

OPC UA is one of the world's fastest growing standards for machine-to-machine communication. Its integrated security mechanisms make it ideal for use in industrial production. Machine data is not only transported via OPC UA, but also assigned a meaning (semantics) that can be read by machines. This makes it easier to evaluate large volumes of data, for example for monitoring purposes. as