• CAEX as top-level format and for plant topology,
• COLLADA 1.5 (Khronos Group) for geometry, kinematics and motion planning
• PLCopen XML SFCs for behavior and sequence descriptions
• MathML 2.0 for formulas

• We define a free and open, XML-based data format.

• We do not want to reinvent the wheel, thus use and enrich already existing, free and open, well established standards.

• One core effort is the development of a single roof format that incorporates well accepted standards for important engineering aspects.

In general we cover the whole engineering process, such as simulation or coordination of mechanical, electrical and logics design.

However we start with those use cases most important for the AutomationML members, e.g.:

·         Transition from robot simulation system to robot specific programming system
·         Transition from mechanical design engineer to functional (electrical and PLC) engineering
·         Data exchange between CAD systems
·         Transition from CAD system to documentation system

We use XML as a base format because:

·         XML is a globally highly accepted data format,

·         it is very easy to provide connectors to XML,

·         a variety of stable and reliable XML parsers are available for low cost,

·         XML solves the syntax problem.

AutomationML does not require changes in your workflow. AutomationML supports today’s workflows. Furthermore it simplifies regular synchronizations of parallel engineering steps.

AutomationML is a good basis for automatic data synchronization, as it provides all necessary engineering information. But remember, AutomationML is a data format; data synchronization is a tool functionality.

• supports usage of best tools in class,
• closes gaps in the engineering process,
• reduces complexity by providing a common intermediate format,
• empowers innovative companies to bring in their solutions without being forced to connect to numerous major tools,
• helps tool vendors to focus on their core competences instead of spending high efforts on developing and maintaining
  interfaces.

No. AutomationML addresses data exchange for any plant information and is thus not restricted to specific industries.

Goals of AutomationML are:

·         Reduction of engineering costs and acceleration of engineering

·         Protect investment by enabling openness of engineering data

·         Lower market entry barriers for innovative niche product vendors and service providers

·         Seamless data transport

·         Make it easier to keep data consistency

AutomationML comprises:

• a specification document,
• XML schemas,
• supporting software tools with example files and implementation recommendations.

With AutomationML we jointly define and validate the Automation Markup Language (AutomationML) as an intermediate XML based data format for all phases of plant engineering along the business cases of our members.

We reduce engineering efforts and improve quality by interconnecting a heterogeneous tool landscape.

Main innovation is the incorporation of well accepted standards for important engineering aspects under a single roof format, e.g. plant topology, geometry, kinematics and logics.
As such it is the only freely available, open XML-based standard.
It is not dominated by a single vendor but driven by leading automation players

No, the AutomationML group only defines the data format. However the group provides exemplary reference implementations as freeware. Please see our download site.

Yes, AutomationML is an open standard. Thus principally everybody can join the organization as member.

AutomationML is ready for use. Further topics are under work, however are under NDA of our members. For your topics that you might miss in AutomationML, just join AutomationML.

The standardization body of AutomationML is the Deutsche Kommission für Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik (DKE), we intend to submit it to the IEC as a Publicly Available Specification (PAS).

Additionally the AutomationML group contributes to other standardization organizations with own proposals, namely the Khronos Group and PLCopen.

Daimler as manufacturer together with ABB, KUKA and Siemens Industry Automation as strong industry partners, NetAllied Systems, Zühlke and Fraunhofer IITB as software and service providers as well as the Universities of Karlsruhe and Magdeburg as research partners.

The AutomationML community is open for new members.

The AutomationML organization has promoting members, contributing members and academic members. Although the promoting members have some more rights according to their higher fees, the major work happens in working groups with the same voting power for every participant.