Published 5/25/2011

Everything You Wanted to Know about MTConnect

I stand by my assessment that MTConnect is invaluable because it opens a world of possibilities for automating and streamlining shop operations.

Mark Albert

Editor Emeritus, Modern Machine Shop

Late last year, I characterized the development of MTConnect as “invaluable” because this communications standard is designed to unlock the data generated by the computers or microprocessing systems running most of today’s production equipment. Accessing this data and sharing it with other devices or software applications opens a world of possibilities for automating and streamlining shop operations.

I still stand by this assessment.

That’s why I am pleased that a conference to promote this standard is planned for November 8-10, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. The MTConnect Institute, the organization that coordinates the development and implementation of the standard, is sponsoring this event and calling it [MC]² MTConnect: Connecting Manufacturing Conference.

According to the official announcement released this month, this conference is aimed at promoting both the benefits and implementation of MTConnect, as well as showcasing commercially available products that utilize the standard. Attendees who could benefit from this important event include end users, equipment suppliers, software developers, distributors, independent software vendors, integrators and consultants.

The conference will include both a business and a technical track to address the differing needs of all attendees. While the technical track will focus on the “hands-on” side of implementing and using MTConnect, the business track will emphasize the increased productivity and ROI that the standard can enable.

According to Dave Edstrom, president and chairman of the MTConnect Institute, “The technical tracks will include hands-on labs led by subject matter experts to enable software developers to learn about MTConnect from both the machine side, as well as the application level. Meanwhile, the business tracks will feature engaging discussions from industry thought leaders that will enable everyone, from the plant floor to the CEO’s office, to understand how MTConnect improves productivity throughout the plant.”

Learn more about this event as well as MTConnect.

Read what else MMS has had to say about MTConnect.