An AutomationML Domain Library for the Formalized Process Description

2026-06-02

AI Summary

This work addresses the absence of a standardized, tool-agnostic, machine-readable data exchange format in the VDI/VDE 3682 standard. By leveraging the CAEX 3.0 metamodel, the study presents the first complete formalization of all linguistic elements of Functional Process Descriptions (FPD) defined in the standard. It constructs an AutomationML domain library comprising components such as RoleClassLib and InterfaceClassLib, and introduces a five-part collaborative architecture. A mapping mechanism enabling bidirectional conversion between a web-based FPD modeling tool and AutomationML has been implemented. The resulting class libraries and illustrative examples have been open-sourced and contributed to the candidate proposal for Part 3 of VDI/VDE 3682, significantly enhancing interoperability of process models across engineering domains.

Abstract

The Formalized Process Description (FPD) according to VDI/VDE 3682 provides a standardized graphical notation for describing processes across engineering domains but lacks a standardized, tool-independent data format for machine-readable model exchange. This paper presents an AutomationML (AML) domain library that formalizes the complete set of FPD language elements, their attributes, connection semantics, and graphical representation information as class libraries based on the Computer Aided Engineering Exchange (CAEX) 3.0 metamodel. The library comprises five interrelated parts: a RoleClassLib defining the semantic roles, an InterfaceClassLib for connection types, two AttributeTypeLibs for the information model and diagram interchange, and a SystemUnitClassLib providing instantiation templates. Key design decisions regarding inheritance, diagram structure, hierarchical decomposition, and the representation of graphical information are discussed along with the alternatives that were considered. A bidirectional mapping tool demonstrates the library's applicability by converting between a web-based FPD modeler and AML. The library is proposed as a candidate for Part 3 of VDI/VDE 3682. It is available together with an example and a feedback function for community input ahead of standardization at https://aml.fpbjs.net.

Problem

• Formalized Process Description
• AutomationML
• machine-readable exchange
• standardized data format
• VDI/VDE 3682

Innovation

• AutomationML
• Formalized Process Description
• CAEX
• machine-readable exchange
• domain library