UCIMU-Sistemi per Produrre, the Italian association of machine tool, robot, and automation system manufacturers, has successfully concluded the initial phase of its machine tools data space pilot project. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA).
The project’s core objective is to establish a federated, secure, and sovereign data infrastructure, rooted in the principles of transparency, trust, and collaboration. As the initiative progresses, it aims to evolve into a comprehensive network of companies dedicated to managing and developing the data space.
Standards and ecosystem: The backbone of Machinery-X
The machine tools data space is built upon the foundational work of IDSA. The IDS Reference Architecture Model, the IDSA Rulebook, and the Dataspace Protocol provide a holistic framework for data management and sharing, ensuring privacy, trust, and data sovereignty.
UCIMU adopts a bottom-up development approach, addressing the real-world needs of businesses and engaging various stakeholders within the machine tool ecosystem. This ecosystem encompasses machine tool manufacturers, component and service providers, machine users, value-adding application developers, research centers, financial institutions, and other relevant entities. Each participant is equipped with an IDS-based data space connector, allowing them to manage their own data in a self-determined manner and interact with others in the data space under established rules.
Three main goals
The UCIMU Data Space Committee has developed a pilot project centered on three key objectives: predictive maintenance, advanced services, and interoperability. Predictive maintenance uses data generated by machine tools to reduce operational costs and improve machine availability and performance. To enable advanced services, the project aims to enhance the data space’s capabilities, opening it to more sophisticated offerings by incorporating maintenance service providers, data scientists, financial service providers, and developers of innovative business models. Regarding interoperability, efforts will focus on connecting the machine tools data space with other data spaces in sectors such as logistics, energy, and mobility.
These activities will be carried out in partnership with the Sm4rtenance project, which involves major players and existing data spaces across Europe. As an associated project partner, IDSA supports the development of a neutral, cross-sectional data space for the manufacturing industry.
Presentation at 34.BI-MU
The results and benefits of the pilot project will be showcased on October 10 at BI-MUpiù (Hall 11, Stand F26) during the 34th edition of BI-MU, held from October 9 to 12, 2024, at fieramilano Rho. BI-MU is Italy’s premier exhibition for the manufacturing industry, focusing on metal cutting and metal forming machine tools, robots, automation systems, digital and additive manufacturing, as well as auxiliary and enabling technologies.
As part of 34.BI-MU, there will be two opportunities to learn more about data spaces, particularly the MACHINERY-X initiative, which originates from the UCIMU Dataspace Committee. The conference titled “Dataspace: Innovation, Efficiency and Value for Manufacturing Companies” will take place on October 10 at 12 noon in the BI-MUpiù arena – Hall 11, Area F26. More details can be found here.
Additionally, the launch of the UCIMU demonstrator will be available for remote viewing via streaming on the BI-MU webpage. Planned information points will be located at the booths of Holonix (Hall 15 – Stand E36), Fanuc (Hall 13 – D01), and Mandelli (Hall 11 – E12), managed in cooperation with IDSA.
This article is based on a press release published by UCIMU-Sistemi per Produrre: Machinery-x: il data space per le macchine utensili – UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE
