Working Groups
Working groups take ideas from conception to initial drafts and data models for inclusion in the MTConnect standard. The working groups conduct business primarily via web meeting, and each is chaired by a volunteer from the Standards Committee (SC). Membership in the SC is required to participate in working groups.
Join a Working Group
Use the form below to join a working group. Scroll down for descriptions of each working group.
Measurement (Joint Working Group)
This joint working group with the Dimensional Metrology Standards Consortium is focused on covering quality and inspection data in the MTConnect standard.
OPC Companion Specification (Joint Working Group)
This joint working group with the OPC Foundation is focused on updated the OPC Companion Specification for MTConnect.
Grinding (NEW)
This working group is defining data items and models for grinding machines and processes.
Capabilities (NEW)
This working group is defining use cases and terminology for equipment capabilities and related concepts like specifications or configuration.
Workholding
This working group is defining data items and models for jigs, fixtures, chucks, collets, clamping, and other workholding.
Thermal Processes
This working group is defining data items and models for autoclaves, heat treating, and related thermal processes.
Complex Manufacturing Systems
This working group is defining data modeling techniques for manufacturing systems that include multiple intelligent sub-systems that function together as a single piece of equipment.
Agent
The goal of the Agent Working Group is to maintain and develop the reference agent and develop a roadmap for future development of the reference agent.
Additive Manufacturing
The Additive Working Group works to enhance the ways in which the MTConnect standard and schema handle data items that are specific to additive manufacturing machines and processes.
Parts & Processes
The Parts Working Group works to enhance the ways in which the MTConnect standard models workpieces and parts as well as processes.
Robotics
The Robotics Working Group works to enhance the ways in which the MTConnect standard and schema handle data items that are specific to industrial robots.
Education
The Education Working Group is developing curriculum, course materials, and learning tools for the MTConnect community.
Machine Tools
The Machine Tools Working Group works to enhance the ways in which the MTConnect standard and schema handle machine-tool specific data items.
EDM
The EDM Working Group works to enhance the ways in which the MTConnect standard and schema handle data items that are specific to electrical discharge machines.
Files
The Files Working Group has drafted a new section of the MTConnect standard for handling file transfer and management conventions using MTConnect. Examples of files include work instructions, travellers, inspection documents, etc.
Functionality
The Functionality Working Group is working towards more seamless implementation of the standard and paths to a certification program.
Security
This working group is currently creating its charter. Issues on security have come up repeatedly in other working groups and been deferred to a dedicated working group for addressing cyber physical security in MTConnect.
Open Source Tools
The Open Source Tools Working Group works to improve MTConnect usability and expand deployment options through open source software tools.
Interfaces
The Interfaces Working Group works on Part 3.1 - Interfaces, which is used for communications between devices. Examples include machine tool communications with a robot or bar feeder using MTConnect.
Chip Conveyors
The Chip Conveyors Working Group is focused on creating enhancements to the MTConnect standard required for data representation and modeling of chip conveyors. This effort heavily draws on and influences Part 3.1 - Interfaces, which is used for communications between devices.
Cutting Tools
The cutting tools working group created Part 4.1 - Cutting Tools of the MTConnect standard to establish the rules and terminology to be used by designers to describe the function and operation of Cutting Tools used within manufacturing and to define the data that is provided by an MTConnect Agent from a piece of equipment.
Shop Floor Information
The shop floor information working group is responsible for critical equipment, components, parts, accessories, and anything else other than devices not otherwise included. The group is primarily responsible for Part 4.0 - Assets of the MTConnect standard and its subparts.