Benefits of Open Platform Communications

OPC, or Open Platform Communications, has been around in some form since 1996.  It is based on OLE(Object Linking and Embedding), now known as ActiveX, as well as COM (component object model) and DCOM (distributed component object model) technologies.

Component Object Model (COM) is part of The Microsoft .NET framework and provides the required software infrastructure for data sharing in Windows NT and similar operating systems.  

OPC is the standard used in industrial automation and other process-control applications and is primarily a way to address the needs of computer-integrated manufacturing.  

Overview of a manufacturing floor. Open Platform Communications offers a common interface between many different industrial devices.
Open Platform Communications (OPC) provide a common interface between diverse industrial devices.

OPC is designed to provide a common communication interface for diverse industrial devices.  For example, ActiveX/COM technologies allow controlling software components to share data and to interact with one another. This brings disparate process control devices together in a near standardized format.  

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Buying Industrial Equipment: Things to Consider

Image of women working on an industrial machine. When upgrading manufacturing industrial equipment there's more to consider than the cost of the machines.
Industrial equipment is a big investment that will be with you for a long time.

Industrial equipment is expensive. It’s also big, designed to last, and often complex. When you add all those factors together you begin to realize just how much is at stake when it comes to upgrading your facility. It’s too easy to overlook some important aspects of the decision that can lead to regret for years to come.

The list below is designed to help you think about any upcoming purchases in a mindful way to reduce the chance of buyer’s remorse and increase the likelihood of a successful upgrade. It’s by no means a complete list, but it should help you get on your way.

Will the new industrial equipment fit?

While it’s always a good idea to make sure you have the physical space for any new equipment, there’s more to ensuring a good fit than measuring W x H x D. Consider other questions like

  • Are my current utilities sufficient to run this equipment?
  • Will I need to upgrade security?
  • What are the safety requirements to keep my staff protected?
  • Have I chosen the most efficient location for this equipment?
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