CONTACT Software presents new AAS applications at Hannover Messe 2024

A new widget for the CONTACT Elements for IoT dashboards presents a streamlined overview of all available AAS submodels. Image: CONTACT Software.

CONTACT Software is pushing the use of the Asset Administration Shell with its Elements platform. In Hannover, the company and its partners will showcase several new AAS applications for the digital twin.

As a cross-enterprise standard for the digital twin, the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) offers significant potential for machinery and plant manufacturers, their component suppliers, and customers. CONTACT Software is actively involved in the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA) and other projects to advance it. The company will present new AAS use cases for Industry 4.0 at Hannover Messe 2024 from April 22 to 26.

CONTACT already demonstrated in 2023 how companies can use its platform Elements for IoT to import and export initial AAS submodels. Since then, the software provider has implemented further IDTA specifications. Now, structured information relating to an asset’s installation, a classified description of its technical properties, the product’s carbon footprint, handover documents, and context-specific operating data can also be exchanged securely and reliably via the AAS.

With Mitsubishi Electric, CONTACT will highlight the practical benefits of its latest AAS extensions at booth H24 in hall 17.

Easy navigation with a new widget

A new widget for the Elements for IoT dashboards provides an overview of all “active” and “inactive” AAS submodels of an asset and simplifies information exchange between companies. It enables users to directly access the AAS Type 2 REST endpoint of the AAS or its submodels. They have the option of uploading or downloading the respective submodel to update it or activate a non-existent one.

Creating and updating assets

CONTACT has also expanded the creation and modification of assets with an AAS REST endpoint. Using the Digital Nameplate and its serial number, the desired AAS information is provided through the Universal Classification of the Elements platform. If an asset with the serial number already exists, the user is asked whether it should be updated. The new function is handy in maintenance when obsolete or defective components need to be replaced in machine tools.

Export of time series data

The “Time Series Data to AAS” function automatically fills the corresponding submodel with an asset’s metadata and time series data. CONTACT Elements for IoT offers two options for providing the measured values: direct REST access to the selected time series range and a derived JSON file stored in the digital twin. In the production context, for example, this allows the provision of the data for quality assurance tasks for end-of-line tests.

As an IDTA team, CONTACT, FESTO, and msg have also developed a demonstrator that accelerates the quotation preparation. Based on the Elements platform it provides plant manufacturers with a digital product catalog from FESTO in a machine-readable format as AAS. An AI-supported msg chatbot, which uses a large language model, assists in finding the optimal components. Upon entering technical properties, the virtual assistant outputs a suitable selection so that customers can quickly find the right product from a wide range of variants.

At Hannover Messe, this AAS use case will be presented at the IDTA booth (hall 9, F27) and the FESTO booth (hall 7, D31). CONTACT will also show it – in addition to its own AAS applications and as part of its “Fast Forward Digital Transformation” theme. With various practical examples from development, production, and service, the software provider demonstrates how the seamless interaction of PLM, IoT, and MES leads to increased efficiency, speed, and sustainability in the industry.