VDMA and T-Systems, together with the umati (universal machine technology interface) initiative, are presenting the first global Manufacturing-X solution with open standards for machine data at this year’s Hannover Messe. The demonstrator shows the CO2 footprint of various products in a data room. Plants in Asia, Brazil, Germany, Spain and the USA share live data from the production process and devices ready for use with Manufacturing-X. The solution calculates the product carbon footprint live and documents it in a digital product passport. Participants always retain control over their machine and production process data.

For the first time, small and medium-sized companies in particular can experience an implementation of the “X for Machinery” architecture developed by the VDMA and use it as a blueprint for their own simple access to data rooms. The “X for Machinery” architecture describes how a selection of internationally established standards and technologies can be used and combined to realize access to data rooms. The architecture is based on the rules of the International Data Space Association (IDSA) and uses OPC UA and Companion Specifications, such as OPC UA for Machinery (40001), for communication. This ensures data sovereignty and creates a trustworthy ecosystem in which standardized production information can be shared and used.

The demonstrator implements the “FX Port” concept and brings standardized machine data from four continents into the data room using the umati.app platform and a connector. The data room infrastructure, the authentication of new participants for the data room and the connector, which is tailored to the special requirements of machine data, are provided and operated by T-Systems.

“Data spaces are the digital foundation for Europe’s future,” explains Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic, Chief Technology Officer at T-Systems. “They are not only the key to a secure and sovereign data economy, but also the catalyst for groundbreaking innovations. By providing high-quality, interoperable data, we are creating the foundation for an AI-driven economy that strengthens Europe’s global competitiveness and secures our digital independence. Data spaces are our opportunity to unleash the untapped power of 80 percent of data and generate an additional €270 billion in GDP by 2028. They are nothing less than the fuel for Europe’s digital renaissance.”

“Digitalization, interoperability and networking are crucial for our industry and the key to this is the data room. Small and medium-sized companies in particular have the opportunity to develop new, data-based business models with additional service offerings and implement efficient AI applications,” emphasizes Hartmut Rauen, Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA.

The solution involves international partners such as the Federation of Industries of Minas Gerais (FIEMG), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), CESMII, TRIMEK S.A. part of Innovalia Metrology, the Institute for Production Management, Technology and Machine Tools (PTW) at the Technical University of Darmstadt and interop4X.