Machine.<Category>.<Parameter> Common categories | Category | Example tag | Meaning | |----------|-------------|---------| | Admin | Machine.Admin.Version | PackML version | | Command | Machine.Command.Start | (BOOL) trigger start | | Status | Machine.Status.CurrentState | ID of current state | | ProcessCell | Machine.ProcessCell.Speed.Actual | Machine speed | | ProcessCell | Machine.ProcessCell.Count.Good | Good products made | | ProcessCell | Machine.ProcessCell.Count.Reject | Rejects | | Alarm | Machine.Alarm.ActiveCount | Number of active alarms | Example of a complete machine ID: Machine.ProcessCell.Count.Good (DINT) Machine.ProcessCell.Count.Total (DINT) Machine.ProcessCell.Efficiency.Availability (REAL) 4. Why Use PackML? (The Real Business Case) | Without PackML | With PackML | |----------------|--------------| | Each machine has custom Start/Stop logic | All machines respond to same commands | | SCADA needs 5 drivers for 5 machine brands | One generic PackML driver works for all | | OEE data manually entered or unavailable | OEE calculated automatically from states | | Faults only shown on HMI locally | Faults reported in standard format to MES | | New line integration takes weeks | New machine can be added in hours |
If you are a – learn your PLC vendor’s PackML template. It will save you months of debugging. Start small : Pick one simple machine, use a vendor template, get the state transitions working, then add counting and OEE. Do not try to do everything at once. packml standard
All are standard PackTag names – your MES just reads them. | Document | What it gives you | |----------|-------------------| | ISA-TR88.00.02-2015 | Official PackML specification | | OMAC PackML Implementation Guide | Practical how-to, examples | | Weihenstephan Standards | Extends PackML to process cells | | IEC 61131-3 | PLC programming (used with PackML) | 9. Minimal Checklist for a PackML Machine ✅ State model implemented (all 17 states, correct transitions) ✅ 3 modes (Production, Maintenance, Manual) ✅ Standard PackTag naming for at least 20 critical tags ✅ Commands: Reset, Start, Stop, Hold, Unhold, Abort ✅ Status: CurrentState, Mode, AlarmActive ✅ ProcessCell: Good count, Total count, Actual speed ✅ OPC UA server publishing the PackML tags ✅ HMI displays current state graphically Final Advice If you are a machine builder – adopting PackML makes your machines “plug-and-play” for large customers (CPG, pharma, food). You will win bids. Machine
If you are a – specify “PackML compliant per ISA-TR88.00.02” in your RFQ. Demand the state diagram and tag list in the FAT. It will save you months of debugging
PackML is an industry standard (ISA-TR88.00.02) for controlling packaging machines. It is not a brand of PLC nor software—it is a state model, tag naming convention, and data structure .