MTConnect
Connect machine tools that offer an MTConnect agent and bring execution state, positions, spindle data and conditions into OPC UA, SCADA and OEE.
mtconnect
MTConnect is an open, read-only standard for machine tool data. An agent on the machine or on a PC publishes the data items of one or more machines over HTTP. PLCGateway reads the current document of the agent cyclically and checks the device model on connect.
All data items of the agent can be browsed and added as tags by their id or name. Samples arrive as numbers, events as text or as BOOL, and conditions report Normal, Warning or Fault; unavailable values get the quality Uncertain.
- Driver id
mtconnect- Connection
- HTTP · MTConnect agent (e.g. port 5000)
- Address browsing
- yes
- Writing
- read only
What PLCGateway reads and writes
- Samples such as positions, feed, spindle speed and load
- Events such as execution state, mode, program and part count
- Conditions (Normal, Warning, Fault) per subsystem
- Availability of the machine
- Several devices of one agent
- Browsing of all data items from the probe document
Address examples
| Address | Meaning |
|---|---|
Xact | Actual X position (data item id) |
execution | Execution state |
PartCountAct | Part counter |
avail | Availability |
Controllers and devices
Equipment that is typically connected with this driver.
Connect in a few steps
Make sure the machine's MTConnect agent is reachable (for example http://machine:5000).
Add an MTConnect device with the agent URL and, if needed, the device name.
Browse the data items and add the ones you need as tags.
Use them for dashboards, history and OEE together with other machines.
Questions and answers
Can MTConnect write to the machine?
No. MTConnect is a read-only standard; for writing, use the controller's own interface such as FOCAS macro variables or Haas Q commands.
My machine has no agent. What can I do?
For FANUC controls the FOCAS driver connects directly. For others, an MTConnect adapter and agent from the machine builder can be installed.
Is the MTConnect version important?
PLCGateway reads the current document of agents of the usual versions and finds the data items through the probe document.
Connect your machines
Tell us which controllers you run; we show you PLCGateway with your own addresses.
Product and model names are trademarks of their owners. They are named only to show which equipment the drivers communicate with; PLCGateway is not affiliated with these companies.