title: “About” #date: 2020-12-01T10:08:18+01:00 #date-update: 2022-07-18T10:08:18+01:00 draft: false type: about

What is BaSyx

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Eclipse BaSyx is the open source platform for next generation automation. It implements key concepts defined by Platform Industrie 4.0, such as the Asset Administration Shell as standardized digital twin.  
Our mission is to provide a free software platform that enables all interested parties, large and small companies, research institutes, academia, and interested persons, to participate in and to shape the fourth industrial revolution. We believe that the availability of a free reference technology platform is a key success factor for the Industrie 4.0.

Eclipse BaSyx therefore provides common and re-useable off-the shelf Industrie 4.0 components and SDKs (Java, C# and C++) that support the implementation of new Industrie 4.0 software components to enable rapid development of Industrie 4.0 solutions. BaSyx furthermore supports reference application scenarios for common Industrie 4.0 challenges such as a changeable production to enable individualized goods, leveraging big data analytics and connecting heterogeneous devices and systems while minimizing downtime and other associated costs.

In the following video Frank Schnicke (Fraunhofer IESE) is explaining the Eclipse BaSyx middleware by using a model factory (English subtitles provided).
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<!--<p class="lead">
Eclipse BaSyx is actively supported by the <a href="https://www.basys40.de/" title=""> BaSys 4.2 </a> (Homepage, in German) research project, which is 
funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF, grant no. 01IS16022). BaSys 4.2 researches and specifies key concepts of Industrie 4.0, participates in standardization activities, and integrates existing 
standards and technologies into an Industrie 4.0 middleware.
</p>-->

The Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is about the end-to-end digitzation of manufacturing. After (steam powered) machines, electricitity, and automation, the Industry 4.0 is the fourth industrial revolution. Eclipse BaSyx supports the Industry 4.0 by providing the necessary infrastructure and software components for realizing a digitized production.

End-to-end digitization implies data exchange between all devices – accross vendors, and device types, as well as digitized supply chains. This improves understanding of production processes and enables next-generation applications, such as automated documentation of supply chains, the digital product passport, and the tracking of the CO2 footprint of products.

End-to-end digitization also enables the efficient production of small lot sizes. Service based architectures enable changeable manufacturing processes. Digital twins support automatic calculations and smart contracts to enable also the efficient contracting of small batches. The ability to efficiently produce also small lot sizes enables a more localized production and shorter transport routes, and yields much more robust supply chains.

Eclipse BaSyx addresses the major challenge of the digitization: Digital twins with hermonized interfaces for all kinds of production assets, a common language for data exchange, and a robust and secure Industry 4.0 software infrastructure. And all of this for free, without obligations, copy-left effects, and open-source.

You yourself choose which components of Eclipse BaSyx you want to use. And regardless of your choice, you create a foundation for the future. If you want to start with a simple data monitoring application, feel free to do so. if you later decide to implement a service based lot-size one production, you have already laid the foundation for this, which simplifies the extension of your manufacturing systems.

Eclipse BaSyx supports relevant standards

  • The Asset Administration Shell is standardized as IEC 63278-1 ED1.
  • Simulation models may be encapsulated as Functional Mockup Units conforming to the Functional Mockup Interface (FMI) standard.
  • Semantic annotations, e.g. conforming to ECLASS and/or IEC CDD IEC 61360-4 is supported to provide semantic knowledge regarding the meaning of properties and servicess
  • Push messages using MQTT (ISO/IEC 20922:2016)
  • Integration of communicating manufacturing assets with OPC-UA (IEC 62541)

Applications & Tools

Eclipse BaSyx provides pre-configured Industry 4.0 tools, and is compatible with ready-to-use (open-source) toolchains:

  • The AAS Package Explorer enables users to create Asset Administration shells and AAS Sub Models for assets. It also enables the creation of new AAS types and sub model types.
  • The BaSyx AAS Viewer application enables users to lookup AAS and sub model from a registry server, and displays AAS contents to enable process tracking.
  • The open-source Eclipse Streamsheets application enables real-time data analytics, transformation and analysis.
  • The open-source Grafana application visualizes data and enables the creation of dashboards and virtual control rooms.
  • The open-source Node.Red application automates reaction to events, e.g. detected unusual sensor values.

Application and tools ilustration alt