Asset Administration Shells in Tool Lifecycle Monitoring

Abstract

In order to use tools, e.g. in machining, efficiently until the end of their life, predictions for the remaining tool lifespan are essential. These can only be made based on comprehensive life cycle data of the individual tools originating on different machines. Current approaches usually pursue a machine-related monitoring of the process data; a tool-related evaluation is thus not possible. The concept of the Asset Administration Shell (AAS), defined by Plattform Industrie 4.0, allows not only storing information but also describing it semantically so that interpretation is possible without a priori knowledge. They are thus suitable for making systems interoperable and can be used in the scenario described to manage the lifecycle data of tools. The AAS of a tool can move from one host to another together with the described tool and collect or provide data at the machine. A central server can be used to manage tools that are in storage and are used on any machine without a corresponding management capability. When a tool is removed from the tool magazine, the AAS is transferred to a central server where the tool information can be retrieved and from which the administration shell can be requested the next time the tool is used. While an exchange format is defined for the AAS, the necessary communication mechanisms for exchange between the central server and machines or machine-related devices must be defined. A registry in which all AAS are listed allows applications, such as an overarching user interface or an AI-based forecasting algorithm, to find the administration shells of all tools and access the individual data. The complete use case has been implemented exemplarily utilizing a central server and Sinumerik edge devices close to the machine tool.