Fluid 4.0 demonstrates how change notifications can be provided across the entire value chain in a standardized, machine-readable, and traceable way using the Asset Administration Shell.
As in other parts of the mechanical engineering industry, product changes occasionally occur in fluid power. The structured communication and proper interpretation of these changes pose significant challenges for many companies. Change notifications are often created in different formats and distributed through various channels. There is no standardized feedback mechanism to confirm whether and how changes have been implemented. Recipients must manually check and evaluate the information and transfer it into their own systems. This takes time and increases the risk of errors. This can have serious consequences, particularly for safety-relevant or quality-critical components. The lack of a consistent, digital standard limits transparency, traceability, and efficiency along the value chain.
As part of its Fluid Power 4.0 initiatives, the VDMA Digitalization Working Group organized workshops to identify the pain points and expectations of production planners who deal with change notifications on a daily basis. When problems arise, they are usually information-related issues that can be resolved—or even prevented altogether—with better, more targeted data.
The relevant information—such as the date and type of change or the impact on the customer—was identified, and additional requests were recorded.
Attributes were defined for this data, communicated to the ECLASS working groups for standardization, and submitted to the IDTA as a proposed submodel.
Digital change notifications deliver added value for all stakeholders along the value chain. The “Change Notification” submodel in the Asset Administration Shell enables information to be provided more quickly, more securely, and in a more targeted manner. As a result, companies are able to reduce manual work, avoid errors, and increase transparency throughout the entire change process.
The “Change Notification” submodel in the Asset Administration Shell enables a seamless, digital process for the structured capture, transmission, and processing of technical changes along the entire value chain. Change information is no longer distributed as unstructured documents, but is provided in a standardized, machine-readable format that can be used across systems.
Manufacturers record changes once in a centralized location. This information is automatically forwarded to customers, suppliers, and internal systems via the Asset Administration Shell. Media discontinuities are eliminated, as the data can be transferred directly into ERP, PLM, or QM systems.
Recipients receive change notifications early, in full, and in a traceable format. Feedback on implementation status can be recorded digitally, creating transparency and significantly reducing the need for coordination. Consequently, the use case enables secure, efficient, and scalable communication of changes.
Using selected fluid power products as examples, we demonstrate how change notification information is stored in a structured manner within submodels of the Asset Administration Shell. The examples are intentionally generalized so that the concepts shown can be applied to different products, systems, and workflows.
