UniversalAutomation.org: Technology and Use Cases

The IEC 61499 standard is a system-level design language for distributed information and control systems. It is not a programming language but defines how to design a distributed control system and the separation between automation application and hardware which is the base for portable automation applications.

UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent, non-profit association, managing the implementation of an industrial automation shared source runtime execution engine, based on this IEC 61499 standard. Founded 2021 UAO has grown out to an international community of automation users, technology vendors and academics. On the ARC European Industry Forum 2024, UAO presented technologies and use cases showcasing products, academic pilots and case studies. UAO will again be part of the ARC EIF 2025 as a sponsor and present developments and achievements in demonstrations, workshops and other sessions.

Aalto University of Electrical Engineering 
The Factory of the Future at Aalto University of Electrical Engineering in Finland is a facility for innovation and education concerning future industrial automation. Here enabling technologies for production systems are implemented and tested: 
The Zero-Swarm concept involves a high-level architecture for a flexible and adaptive production environment, aiming to accelerate the uptake of advanced 5G technologies by the European manufacturing sector. At Aalto this led to the implementation of a new Architecture, that leverages 5G technology to improve communication reliability and efficiency in the production environment, replacing the old Wi-Fi-based system that experienced extreme packet and data drops.
The VISA/5G Project focuses on the design, implementation, and testing of flexible, distributed, and software-based protection and control automation systems for smart grids and microgrids, utilizing 5G for communication interoperability. 
A case study on distribution network protection highlighted the use of 5G for overcurrent and bus protection in high-medium voltage distribution networks, demonstrating its effectiveness in transmitting control and coordination signals over long distances, even to substations without physical communication infrastructure.
CloVic (Cloud-based Virtual Commissioning) is a cloud-based solution for virtual commissioning, with a patent pending (FI20237093). It scans the XML of IEC 61499 systems to read device information. The presenter introduced the solution and pointed out the challenges and solutions related to commissioning IEC 61499 PLC systems. A demo of CloVic for virtual commissioning, showcased its capabilities in a distributed heterogeneous network of communicating devices.

Kongsberg Control System in Maritime Industry 
Kongsberg Maritime presented the company’s proprietary IEC 61499 server-side applications and logic for the Kongsberg Control System (KCS) in the maritime industry. The system features role-based access control to ensure secure and controlled access to the system and provides scalability, so applications can be installed and updated anytime without disturbing daily operations and safety functions. The system’s digital foundation allows for data export/import using OPC UA, thus making data available anywhere at any time.

Microwave Assisted Depolymerization
Chemical recycling of PET involves utilizing various depolymerization techniques to break down waste PET polymers into valuable chemicals, such as oligomers and monomers. GR3N’s Microwave Assisted Depolymerization process (MADE), was showcased in a demonstration plant, implementing a MADE-license for the depolymerization of PET waste into monomers for various industrial applications
The MADE plant is a small-scale demonstration environment designed to replicate industrial processes with an average productivity of 20 kg/h of PET waste treated. The plant uses a microwave reactor based on Gen2 design principles to depolymerize PET waste, showcasing the core GR3N process. It integrates MEG distillation and PTA crystallization to demonstrate the complete value chain from PET waste to purified monomers. The plant features extensive control and monitoring systems, including 128 sensors, 73 automatic valves, and 40 motors, all managed through a real-time control network and software architecture. 

Remote I/O System 
The Remote I/O System IS1+ by German vendor R.Stahl can be used IS1+ with additional software on board. With programming tools based on IEC 61131-3 or IEC 61499, IS1+ can be used for numerous OEM applications and modular automation concepts like MTP as well. The Remote I/O system is certified for use in hazardous locations across multiple regions, including ATEX, IECEx, FMus, cFM, INMETRO, PESO, KTL, and CCC. It supports hot-swap and hot-work, has I/O modules for Zone 1 and 2, and includes a CPU with multiple protocol interfaces and enhanced diagnostics.
The system supports various runtime environments and offers extended memory and communication protocol support, with high availability and redundancy. During Achema 2024 the company demonstrated features include extended I/O applications with UAO technology, simple control applications, and visualization on WebServer on HMI.

UAO Global Sponsor

The UAO will participate in ARC EIF 2025 as a global sponsor and present its developments in various sessions and formats. As in the past two years, the UAO will hold its Annual General Meeting as a closed session on Monday morning, the first day of the Forum. After refreshments during the “UAO Lunch Break”, the Forum will continue on Monday afternoon with an open door session where Forum attendees can meet experts from UAO member companies to discover and discuss current projects, potential use cases and product innovations from the organization's ecosystem. In addition, we look forward to more UAO participation in keynote, plenary sessions etc. and are excited to see what UAO will bring to the table in 2025.

UAO members attending the European Industry Forum on-site can receive a complimentary entrance ticket. Please confirm your participation by contacting Greg Boucaud.