PLC Client Function Blocks based on IEC 61131-3

This specification defines a set of IEC 61131-3 based function blocks for mapping OPC UA Client functionalities. With this functionality implemented on a controller it becomes possible to initiate a communication session to any other available OPC UA Server.
In this way the controller can play the active, leading role, in addition or as an alternative to the usual distribution of roles. The PLC can thus horizontally exchange complex data structures with other controllers or vertically call up methods in an OPC-UA server in an MES/ERP system, e.g. to retrieve new production orders or write data to the cloud. This enables the production line to become active autonomously – in combination with integrated OPC-UA security a key step towards Industrie 4.0.