What Is an OPC Server?
An OPC server is an application that facilitates communication and data exchange between various equipment in a factory, playing a crucial role in industrial automation.
OPC, which stands for OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) for Process Control, is a widely adopted industrial communication standard for process control. Developed in 1996 by Microsoft and equipment control manufacturers, the standard is now being standardized by the OPC Foundation.
OPC has significantly improved the interaction between suppliers and users in the field of automation, offering expanded options for equipment control. This has led to increased adoption of OPC by suppliers in their automation applications.
Uses of OPC Servers
In factories, a variety of devices like machine tools, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and other control devices operate simultaneously. Each device manufacturer provides OPC server software to facilitate access and communication with their respective devices. Additionally, OPC client functions are integrated into various applications for production planning and management.
This setup allows both equipment manufacturers and users to communicate and control devices using the OPC standard, enabling seamless data acquisition and writing, irrespective of individual product specifications.
Principle of OPC Servers
OPC standardization allows for vendor-neutral data communication between devices and OPC servers. These servers, functioning as PC or PPC servers in the field, enable unrestricted communication with PCs, PLCs, and machine tools. This interoperability is maintained even across different vendors, adhering to the specified protocol and commands.
OPC Servers facilitate READ/WRITE operations of production data with connected devices according to the OPC standard.
The following steps outline the communication process:
- STEP-1: The application requests data from the OPC servers.
- STEP-2: The OPC servers retrieve information from the connected equipment.
- STEP-3: The OPC servers transmit the data back to the application.
This system allows the OPC servers to handle READ/WRITE requests, with the connected devices simply responding to these requests.