Microservices and APIs play a key role when it comes to designing future automation systems with a view to making processes agile, flexible and innovative.
Imagine a machine user would like to integrate information about the total running time of their machine into their MES (Manufacturing Execution System). Traditionally, this requires a communication interface between the IT world (MES) and the OT world (control system). In this case, the OEM must tinker with the machine’s PLC code. With the ctrlX CORE and its REST APIs, this process is much easier. The end user can easily retrieve the required information via the REST API without having to make any adjustments to the control system. This information can then be used in a microservice within the MES.
This is a simple example, but more complex requirements can easily be met: If the variable total running time of the machine is replaced by the power consumption of all motors, a predictive maintenance solution could be created very quickly within a microservice by analyzing changes in power consumption over time.