aas-middleware: Enabling Interoperable, Real-Time Integration for Smart Manufacturing

Interoperability and data integration are significant challenges in production planning and control (PPC) due to heterogeneous data formats and fragmented software systems. This paper introduces aas-middleware, an open-source software system leveraging Asset Administration Shells (AAS) to enable interoperable, real-time integration for smart manufacturing. By realizing service-orientation, aas-middleware addresses data heterogeneity and system integration challenges, facilitating automation and information orchestration in PPC. This research details the middleware’s architecture and showcases its application and evaluation in a modular assembly station, demonstrating its ability to bridge IT and OT systems effectively in real-time and to orchestrate complex planning tasks automatically.