WeldCube OPC UA - API Description User information

Introduction

Description of Objects and Nodes

Objects and Nodes for TPS/i and iWave

Objects and Nodes for WeldCube Connector

Setup and Installation

Examples and Best Practice

Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is a platform independent service-oriented architecture that integrates the functionality of the individual OPC classic specifications into one extensible framework.
It was developed by the OPC Foundation and first released in 2008.
OPC UA differs significantly from its predecessor OPC and was designed to support the needs of industrial automation.

This document describes the implementation of the OPC UA server within the FRONIUS TPS/i, iWave and WeldCube Connector.

Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is a platform independent service-oriented architecture that integrates the functionality of the individual OPC classic specifications into one extensible framework.
It was developed by the OPC Foundation and first released in 2008.
OPC UA differs significantly from its predecessor OPC and was designed to support the needs of industrial automation.

This document describes the implementation of the OPC UA server within the FRONIUS TPS/i, iWave and WeldCube Connector.

OPC UA is one of the most used communication protocols for industrial automation. It is a platform-independent and service-oriented architecture specification that integrates all functionality from the existing OPC Classic specifications, providing a migration path to a more secure and scalable solution. The specification is backwards compatible with OPC Classic. It is designed for machine-to-machine communications.
The implementation of OPC UA server in FRONIUS TPS/i welding machines and WeldCube Connector is based on the open-source project open62541 (https://www.open62541.org) for OPC UA server and is licensed under the Mozilla Public License v2.0.

The main characteristics of OPC UA are:

Development for industrial communication, data collection and control
Open source freely available and implementation under GPL 2.0 license
Service-oriented architecture (SOA)
State-of-the-art security concept
Cross-platform available

Terminology and description:

Server: an OPC UA server (e.g. welding machine) provides data
Client: an OPC UA client (e.g. MES connector) requests or writes data from the server
Object: nodes are organized in objects (see chapter Description of Objects and Nodes)
Node: data node for data access (DA) read and write (see chapter Description of Objects and Nodes)

Fronius TPS/i, iWave and WeldCube Connector are using a TCP-based binary communication over opc.tcp (TCP port 4840) as this implementation is fast, reliable, secure and optimized for embedded devices.
Web-Access via http or https (SOAP) and XML web services are not implemented.

Although OPC UA is know as reliable and depending on the implementation as fast, the use of OPC UA with FRONIUS welding machines is only for documentation, visualization and informative purposes.

It is not allowed to use any status information provided by this communication for safety implementations.

OPC UA is organized in structured topics. All topics contain one or more nodes for data access (DA).
This chapter describes the implemented topics and nodes including data types and enumeration values.

The following objects and nodes are available from firmware version or higher:

TPS/i and iWave	4.3.0
WeldCube Connector	1.3.0

OPC UA is organized in structured topics. All topics contain one or more nodes for data access (DA).
This chapter describes the implemented topics and nodes including data types and enumeration values.

The following objects and nodes are available from firmware version or higher:

TPS/i and iWave	4.3.0
WeldCube Connector	1.3.0

The following nodes are available during the welding process with the minimum sampling interval of 0.1 seconds. The values can be used to record the weld process data.
All nodes of ACTUAL are read-only.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
ACTUAL_CURRENT	Float [-5000.0 ... 5000.0]	[A]	Current
ACTUAL_VOLTAGE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage
ACTUAL_WFS	Float [-99.9 ... 99.9]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed
ACTUAL_POWER	Float [-0.000 ... 1000000.000]	[W]	Power
ACTUAL_WELDINGTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[s]	Welding time
ACTUAL_ GASFLOW	Float [0.0 ... 100.0] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[l/min]	Gasflow
WIREBUFFER_VALUE	Float [-100 ... 100] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[%]	Status of wire buffer Full: 100% Empty: -100%

The following topics can be used for external displays and other visualization. The values for current, voltage, wire feed speed, power and energy are automatically set to the state of the welding process.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
DISPLAY_STATUS	Enumeration (String) 0 [HOLD] 1 [REAL] 2 [COMMAND]	N/A	Status of weld
DISPLAY_CURRENT	Float [-5000.0 ... 5000.0]	[A]	Current
DISPLAY_VOLTAGE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage
DISPLAY_WFS	Float [-99.9 ... 99.9]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed
DISPLAY_POWER	Float [0.000 ... 1000000.000]	[kW]	Power
DISPLAY_ENERGY	Float [0.000 ... 0.999]	[kJ]	Energy

The following nodes are available during the welding process with the minimum sampling interval of 0.1 seconds. The values can be used to record the weld process data.
All nodes of ACTUAL are read-only.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
ACTUAL_CURRENT	Float [-5000.0 ... 5000.0]	[A]	Current
ACTUAL_VOLTAGE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage
ACTUAL_WFS	Float [-99.9 ... 99.9]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed
ACTUAL_POWER	Float [-0.000 ... 1000000.000]	[W]	Power
ACTUAL_WELDINGTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[s]	Welding time
ACTUAL_ GASFLOW	Float [0.0 ... 100.0] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[l/min]	Gasflow
WIREBUFFER_VALUE	Float [-100 ... 100] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[%]	Status of wire buffer Full: 100% Empty: -100%

The following topics can be used for external displays and other visualization. The values for current, voltage, wire feed speed, power and energy are automatically set to the state of the welding process.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
DISPLAY_STATUS	Enumeration (String) 0 [HOLD] 1 [REAL] 2 [COMMAND]	N/A	Status of weld
DISPLAY_CURRENT	Float [-5000.0 ... 5000.0]	[A]	Current
DISPLAY_VOLTAGE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage
DISPLAY_WFS	Float [-99.9 ... 99.9]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed
DISPLAY_POWER	Float [0.000 ... 1000000.000]	[kW]	Power
DISPLAY_ENERGY	Float [0.000 ... 0.999]	[kJ]	Energy

The JOB nodes are related to jobs and represent the actual state and number. For details on the specific settings of the selected job refer to SETTINGS on page (→) in Objects and Nodes for TPS/i. The nodes of JOB are writeable.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
JOBNUMBER	UInt16 [1 ... 1000]	N/A	Job number
JOBMODE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Job mode
JOBREVISION	UInt16 [0 ... 65535]	N/A	Job revision
JOBSLOPE	Float [0.0 ... 10.0]	[s]	Job slope
JOBNAME	String [30]	N/A	Job name

NOTE: If “JOBMODE” is “FALSE” the “JOBNUMBER” is not representative.

The SYSTEM nodes represent the actual system state of welding machine including machine serial number, hour meters and information on the cooler if there is one installed. The values are published on change or update. SYSTEM nodes are read-only.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
SERIALNUMBER	String [100]	N/A	Machine serial number
APIVERSION	String [100]	N/A	OPC UA API version
FIRMWAREVERSION	String [100]	N/A	Firmware version of welding machine
TOTAL_CURRENTFLOWTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[h]	Hour-meter current flow time
TOTAL_POWERONTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[h]	Hour-meter power on time of machine
TOTAL_WIRELENGTH	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[m]	Total wire length consumption
TOTAL_SHIELDING_GAS	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[l]	Total shielding gas consumption
COOLER_MODE	Enumeration (String) 0 [AUTO] 1 [ECO] 2 [ON] 3 [OFF]	N/A	Cooler mode
COOLER_TEMP	Float [-200.0 ... 200.0] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[°C]	Cooler temperature
COOLER_FLOW	Float [-100.00 ... 100.00] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[l/min]	Cooling circuit flow rate
MOTOR_FORCE_M1	Float [0 ... 999] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[N]	Motor Force (Motor 1)
MOTOR_FORCE_M2	Float [0 ... 999] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[N]	Motor Force (Motor 2)
MOTOR_FORCE_M3	Float [0 ... 999] / 1.8e+35 [INVALID]	[N]	Motor Force (Motor 3)

The PROCESS nodes represent the status of the actual process. All nodes of PROCESS are read-only.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
PROCESS_ACTIVE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Process active
PROCESS_MAINPHASE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Process main phase
CURRENTFLOW	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Current flow
ARCSTABLE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Arc stable
ERROR ¹⁾	UInt16 [0 ... 65535]	N/A	Welding error (0=Ok, No error)
SAFETY_STATUS	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [ACTIVE] 2 [SELFCHECK] 3 [HALT] 4 [STOP]	N/A	Safety Status
PENETRATION_STABILIZER_STATUS	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [OFF] 2 [ON]	N/A	Status of penetration stabilizer
ARC_LENGTH_STABILIZER_STATUS	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [OFF] 2 [ON]	N/A	Status of arc length stabilizer
WIREEND_VALUE	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [OFF] 2 [ON]	N/A	Wire end status
WIRE_END_VALUE_DRUM	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [OFF] 2 [ON]	N/A	Wire end status of drum sensor
WIRE_END_VALUE_RINGSENSOR	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [OFF] 2 [ON]	N/A	Wire end status of ring sensor
SELECTED_PROCESSLINE	UInt16 [0 ... 3]	N/A	0 = TIG 1-3 = Active GMAW line

¹⁾ The signal shows the current error number of the welding device. The meaning of the error is described in the file Errorlist_TPSi_Vx.x.x and sent with each firmware release bundle PW_FW_ReleaseBundle_Official_TPSi_iWave_Vx.x.x.

The TRACE nodes represent the traceability parameters for the actual or next weld. All nodes for TRACE are writeable at anytime. Please ensure to set those parameters before starting the weld process.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
PARTITEMNUMBER	String [100]	N/A	Item/Article number of part
PARTSERIALNUMBER	String [100]	N/A	Serial number of part
SEAMNUMBER	UInt16 [0 ... 65535]	N/A	Seam number (or processing step)
PARVERSION	String [100]	N/A	Version of part

NOTE: To set the traceability parameter use the FRONIUS Data Channel (TCP) and/or robot interface.

The SETTINGS topics represent the actual welding parameter settings including welding mode and trigger mode. If not using job mode those nodes are writeable.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
WELDING_MODE	Enumeration (String) 0 [MIG_PULS] 1 [MIG_STANDARD] 2 [MIG_STANDARD MANUAL] 3 [MIG_LSC] 4 [MIG_PMC] 5 [MIG_CMT] 6 [MMA] 7 [TIG] 8 [TIG_FULL] 9 [TOUCH] 10 [TEACHMODE] 11 [MOTORADJUSTNEUTRAL] 12 [MOTORADJUSTLOAD] 13 [WIRESENSE] 14 [CEL] 15 [TIGCOLDWIRE] 16 [DYNAMICWIRE] 17 [PHASEDETECTION] 18 [CONSTANTWIRE] 19 [HOTWIRE]	N/A	Welding mode
TRIGGER_MODE	Enumeration (String) 0 [2_STEP] 1 [4_STEP] 2 [S2_STEP] 3 [S4_STEP] 4 [SPOT]	N/A	Trigger mode
CURRENT_RECOMMVALUE	Float [-5000 ... 5000]	[A]	Current recommend value
VOLTAGE_RECOMMVALUE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage recommend value
WFS_COMMANDVALUE	Float [0.0 ... 100.0]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed command value
START_ARCLENGTH_CORRECTION	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0] / 1.3e+35 [AUTO]	N/A	Start arc length correction
END_ARCLENGTH_CORRECTION	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0] / 1.3e+35 [AUTO]	N/A	End arc length correction
START_CURRENT_TIME	Float [0.0 ... 10.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	Start current time
END_CURRENT_TIME	Float [0.0 ... 10.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	End current time
START_CURRENT	UInt16 [0 ... 200]	[%]	Start current
END_CURRENT	UInt16 [0 ... 200]	[%]	End current
GASPREFLOW	Float [0.0 ... 9.9]	[s]	Gas preflow
GASPOSTFLOW	Float [0.0 ... 60.0]	[s]	Gas postflow
ARCLENGTH_CORRECTION	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0]	N/A	Arc length correction
PULSEDYNAMIC_CORRECTION	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0]	N/A	Pulse dynamic correction
PENETRATION_STABILIZER	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0]	[m/min]	Penetration stabilizer
ARC_LENGTH_STABILIZER	Float [0.0 ... 5.0]	N/A	Arc length stabilizer
SLOPE_1	Float [0.0 ... 9.9]	[s]	Slope 1
SLOPE_2	Float [0.0 ... 9.9]	[s]	Slope 2
GASVALUE	Float [0.5 ... 30.0] / 1.3e+35 [AUTO]	[l/min]	Gas command value (or “AUTO”)
GASFACTOR	Float [0.90 ... 20.0]	N/A	Gas factor
SFI	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	SFI
SFI_HOTSTART	Float [0.00 ... 2.00] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	SFI hot start
SYNCHROPULSE_ENABLE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Synchropulse: Enable
SYNCHROPULSE_FREQUENCY	Float [0.5 ... 10.0]	[Hz]	Synchropulse: Frequency
SYNCHROPULSE_DELTA_FEEDER	Float [0.1 ... 6.0]	[m/min]	Synchropulse: Delta feeder
SYNCHROPULSE_DUTYCYCLE	Float [10 ... 90]	[%]	Synchropulse: Duty cycle
SYNCHROPULSE_ARCLENGTH_ CORR_HIGH	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0]	N/A	Synchropulse: Arc length correction high
SYNCHROPULSE_ARCLENGTH_ CORR_LOW	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0]	N/A	Synchropulse: Arc length correction low
CW_CURRENT_COMMANDVALUE	Float [0 ... 500]	[A]	Coldwire current command value
CW_FEEDER_COMMANDVALUE	Float [0.0 ... 100.0]	[m/min]	Coldwire wire feed speed command value
CYCLETIG_ENABLE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	CycleTIG enable
CYCLETIG_INTERVAL_CYCLES	UInt16 [0 ... 2000] / 1.22e+36 [PERMANET]	N/A	Number of cycles until process ends
CYCLETIG_INTERVAL_PAUSETIME	Float [0.02 ... 2.0]	[s]	Pause between impulse
CYCLETIG_INTERVAL_TIME	Float [0.02 ... 2.0]	[s]	Duration of impulse
TIG_AC_CURRENT_OFFSET	Float [-70 ... 70]	[%]	TIG AC current offset
TIG_AC_FREQUENCY	UInt16 [40 ...250] / 8.4e+35	[Hz]	TIG AC frequency
TIG_AC_WAVEFORM_NEGATIVE	Enumeration (String) 0 [SQUARE_HARD] 1 [SQUARE_SOFT] 2 [SINUS] 3 [TRIANGLE]	N/A	TIG AC waveform of negative curve
TIG_AC_WAVEFORM_POSITIVE	Enumeration (String) 0 [SQUARE_HARD] 1 [SQUARE_SOFT] 2 [SINUS] 3 [TRIANGLE]	N/A	TIG AC waveform of positive curve
TIG_BALANCE	Float [15.0 ... 50.0]	[%]	Balance in TIG AC mode
TIG_CALOTTE_MODE	Enumeration (String) 0 [OFF] 1 [ON]	N/A	TIG AC calotte mode
TIG_DOWN_SLOPE	Float [0.01 ... 30.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	TIG down slope time
TIG_DROP_CURRENT_SLOPE1	Float [0.01 ... 30.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	Slope time from main current to drop current
TIG_DROP_CURRENT_SLOPE2	Float [0.01 ... 30.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	Slope time from drop current to main current
TIG_ELECTRODE_DIAMETER	Float [1.0 ... 6.4] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[mm]	TIG electrode diameter
TIG_END_CURRENT	UInt16 [0 ... 100]	[%]	End current in % of main current
TIG_END_CURRENT_TIME	Float [0.01 ... 30.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	Duration of end phase
TIG_EXT_CSS	Float [0.1 ... 10.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[V]	TIG extended comfort stop
TIG_EXT_UCUTOFF	Float [6.0 ... 90.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[V]	TIG extended cut off voltage
TIG_GASPREFLOW	Float [0.0 ... 9.9]	[s]	TIG gas preflow time
TIG_HF_IGNITION	Enumeration (String) 0 [ON] 1 [OFF] 2 [TOUCHHF] 3 [EXT]	N/A	High frequency start
TIG_HF_IGNITION_DELAY	Float [0.1 ... 5.0]	[s]	Delay of HF impulse
TIG_I1	Float [0 ... 5000]	[A]	TIG main current
TIG_IGNITION_TIMEOUT	Float [0.1 ... 9.9]	[s]	Ignition timeout
TIG_POLARITY	Enumeration (String) 0 [DC-] 1 [AC]	N/A	TIG polarity
TIG_PULSE_BACKROUND_CURRENT	Float [0 ... 100]	[%]	Base current in % of main current at TIG pulse
TIG_PULSE_DUTY_CYCLE	Float [10 ... 90]	[%]	Pulse pause ratio
TIG_PULSE_FREQUENCY	Float [0.2 ... 1000.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[Hz]	Pulse frequency TIG DC
TIG_RPI	Enumeration (String) 0 [AUTO] 1 [OFF] 2 [ON]	N/A	Reserve polarity ignition
TIG_SHIELDING_1_GASFACTOR	Float [0.9 ... 20.0] / 1.3e+35 [AUTO]	N/A	Shielding gas 1 factor
TIG_SHIELDING_1_GASVALUE	Float [0.5 ... 30.0]	[l/min]	Shielding gas 1
TIG_SPOT_TIME	Float [0.02 ... 120]	[s]	Main phase time in spot trigger mode
TIG_START_CURRENT	Float [0 ... 200]	[%]	Start current in % of main current
TIG_START_CURRENT_TIME	Float [0.01 ... 30.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	Duration of starting phase
TIG_TAC	Float [0.1 ... 9.9] / 1.2e+35 [OFF] 1.1e+35 [ON]	[s]	TAC time or OFF/ON
TIG_TRIGGER_MODE	Enumeration (String) 0 [2_STEP] 1 [4_STEP] 4 [STOP]	N/A	TIG trigger mode
TIG_UP_SLOPE	Float [0.01 ... 30.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	[s]	UP slope time
TIG_WAVEFORM_BACKGROUND	Enumeration (String) 0 [SQUARE_HARD] 1 [SQUARE_SOFT] 2 [SINUS]	N/A	TIG DC waveform of base current
TIG_WAVEFORM_PULSE	Enumeration (String) 0 [SQUARE_HARD] 1 [SQUARE_SOFT] 2 [SINUS] 3 [TRIANGLE]	N/A	TIG DC waveform of pulse
TIG_WIRE_CORRECTION	Float [-10.0 ... 10.0] / 1.2e+35 [OFF]	N/A	Wire correction in TIG-Dynamic Wire Mode
TIG_WORKING_2_GASFACTOR	Float [0.9 ... 20.0] / 1.3e+35 [AUTO]	N/A	Working gas 2 factor
TIG_WORKING_2_GASVALUE	Float [0.5 ... 30.0]	[l/min]	Working gas 2

The following nodes are available during the welding process with the minimum sampling interval of 0.1 seconds. The values can be used to record the weld process data. All nodes of ACTUAL are read-only. Wire feed speed is only available for WeldCube Connector U/I/WFS.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
ACTUAL_CURRENT	Float [-5000.0 ... 5000.0]	[A]	Current
ACTUAL_VOLTAGE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage
ACTUAL_WFS	Float [-99.9 ... 99.9]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed
ACTUAL_POWER	Float [-0.000 ... 1000000.000]	[W]	Power
ACTUAL_WELDINGTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[s]	Welding time

The following nodes are available during the welding process with the minimum sampling interval of 0.1 seconds. The values can be used to record the weld process data. All nodes of ACTUAL are read-only. Wire feed speed is only available for WeldCube Connector U/I/WFS.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
ACTUAL_CURRENT	Float [-5000.0 ... 5000.0]	[A]	Current
ACTUAL_VOLTAGE	Float [-500.0 ... 500.0]	[V]	Voltage
ACTUAL_WFS	Float [-99.9 ... 99.9]	[m/min]	Wire feed speed
ACTUAL_POWER	Float [-0.000 ... 1000000.000]	[W]	Power
ACTUAL_WELDINGTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[s]	Welding time

The SYSTEM nodes represent the actual system state of welding machine including machine serial number, hour meters and information on the cooler if there is one installed. The values are published on change or update. SYSTEM nodes are read-only. TOTAL_WIRELENGTH is only available for WeldCube Connector U/I/WFS.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
SERIALNUMBER	String [100]	N/A	Machine serial number
APIVERSION	String [100]	N/A	OPC UA API version
FIRMWAREVERSION	String [100]	N/A	Firmware version of welding machine
TOTAL_CURRENTFLOWTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[h]	Hour-meter current flow time
TOTAL_POWERONTIME	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[h]	Hour-meter power on time of machine
TOTAL_WIRELENGTH	Float [0.0 ... 1000000.0]	[m]	Total wire length consumption

The PROCESS nodes represent the status of the actual process. All nodes of PROCESS are read-only.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
PROCESS_ACTIVE	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Process active
CURRENTFLOW	Boolean [TRUE/FALSE]	N/A	Current flow
ERROR ¹⁾	UInt16 [0 ... 65535]	N/A	Welding error (0=Ok, No error)
SAFETY_STATUS	Enumeration (String) 0 [INVALID] 1 [ACTIVE] 2 [SELFTEST] 3 [HALT] 4 [STOP]	N/A	Safety status

¹⁾ The signal shows the current error number of the welding device. The meaning of the error is described in the file Errorlist_TPSi_Vx.x.x and sent with each firmware release bundle PW_FW_ReleaseBundle_Official_TPSi_iWave_Vx.x.x.

The TRACE nodes represent the traceability parameters for the actual or next weld. All nodes for TRACE are writeable at anytime. Please ensure to set those parameters before starting the weld process.

Topic	Type	Unit	Description
PARTITEMNUMBER	String [100]	N/A	Item/Article number of part
PARTSERIALNUMBER	String [100]	N/A	Serial number of part
SEAMNUMBER	UInt16 [0 ... 65535]	N/A	Seam number (or processing step)
PARVERSION	String [100]	N/A	Version of part

NOTE: To set the traceability parameter use the FRONIUS Data Channel (TCP) and/or robot interface.

The configuration page for OPC UA setup is located in the SmartManager (welding system website) under the topic “Power Source Settings”.

NOTE: The settings for OPC UA are not affected on backup and restore of FRONIUS welding machines.

OPC UA settings:

Enable/Disable: Enable or disable OPC UA server

Security:

Security policy: Select security policy
Server certificate: Upload server certificate
Server private key: Upload server private key

Authentication:

None: Do not use username/password for authentication
Username: Username for authentication
Password: Password for authentication

The configuration page for OPC UA setup is located in the SmartManager (welding system website) under the topic “Power Source Settings”.

NOTE: The settings for OPC UA are not affected on backup and restore of FRONIUS welding machines.

OPC UA settings:

Enable/Disable: Enable or disable OPC UA server

Security:

Security policy: Select security policy
Server certificate: Upload server certificate
Server private key: Upload server private key

Authentication:

None: Do not use username/password for authentication
Username: Username for authentication
Password: Password for authentication

By using the enable/disable flag of the checkbox the OPC UA server for the welding machine can be enable or disable in general.
Disabling the server will break all open connections to the welding machine.

Without any authentication and certificated OPC UA will work in anonymous mode. By using username and password the access on the objects can be restricted. To encrypt the communication between server and client you can use a server certificate and a server private key.

The security policy can be set to:

None
Basic128RSA15 (deprecated)
Basic256SHA256

It is not recommended to use authentication by username and password without encryption. No authentication and no encryption should only be used in experimental stage.
Basic128RSA15 encryption uses a SHA1 algorithm which is not state of the art anymore. This encryption algorithm should not be used anymore and will be removed in a future update.

For actual values for current, voltage, wire feeder speed (wfs) and power it is possible to setup the sampling rate for publishing. The sampling rate can be set from 0.1 to 100 seconds.

NOTE: If you use job mode for welding, the sampling rate defined in the selected job is used for publishing the values. Ensure that the required sampling rate is set correctly in each job upon your needs.

This sampling rate affects the update of the ACTUAL nodes on the server. Using a higher sampling rate by the OPC UA client will not deliver more updated values. Ensure that the sampling rate within the machine and/or job matches the rate of your client.

To ensure proper function of OPC UA communication it is necessary to setup the TCP/IP parameters according to your network policy. It is recommended to use a static IP address or DHCP reservation.

For all documentation purposes within the FRONIUS welding data product family it is recommended to synchronize date and time with a local or global time server.

This chapter includes and examples and best practice information on using OPC UA with FRONIUS welding machines.

The easiest way to start with OPC UA on FRONIUS welding machines is to use UaExpert Client by Unified Automation GmbH.

The following instruction will guide you through the first steps by using Microsoft Windows® and default settings in anonymous mode.

STEP 1

Register and download UaExpert Client from https://www.unifiedautomation.com
Install the software on your computer
Setup your firewall to allow TCP port 4840 for outgoing traffic

STEP 2

Connect your FRONIUS welding machine to your network
Enable OPC UA on your FRONIUS welding machine by using the SmartManager
Select encryption “none”

STEP 3

Start the UaExpert Client
Select “SERVER” and add a new connection
Double click on “Add Server” and enter the IP address or host name of the FRONIUS welding machine
Open the TreeView and select “Discovered Device” and press “OK”

STEP 4

Select your server and connect the address space will update automatically all objects and nodes
Per drag and drop you can select the nodes you want to view or write

WeldCube OPC UA - API Description User information

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

What is OPC UA and what is it used for

Communication Protocol

Disclamer

Description of Objects and Nodes

Description of Objects and Nodes

Description of Objects and Nodes

Objects and Nodes for TPS/i and iWave

ACTUAL

ACTUAL

JOB

SYSTEM

PROCESS

TRACE

SETTINGS

Objects and Nodes for WeldCube Connector

ACTUAL

ACTUAL

SYSTEM

PROCESS

TRACE

Setup and Installation

Setup and Installation

Setup and Installation

Enable/Disable OPC UA Server

Security Settings

Sampling Rate

Network Settings

Time Server Settings (NTP)

Examples and Best Practice

Examples and Best Practice

Examples and Best Practice

Getting started with UaExpert Client