B2MML

Have you ever wondered about how complex manufacturing systems work? How, for example, do large manufacturing processes that take raw material inputs know how much should come through their manufacturing plant? Consider how a thermometer measures the temprature in a room and then makes changes with the furnace. If the temperature is too low the furnace is turned on by a controller mechanism known as an industrial control system. Without these systems many of the systems in our homes or businesses would not work. In manufacturing these control systems are absolutely central to everything. A controller needs to monitor the material coming into the process. There is a target level of production which varies depending on certain conditions. The controller alters the total amount of material depending on these conditions. Any engineer will tell you that it is absolutely imperative that a control system be in place for any type of heavy manufacturing. Control systems have become a major part of manufacturing and the computer systems that come with them are just as important.

One of the most important computer languages used to implement certain standards and control programs is the B2MML or business to manufacturing markup language. This language helps to implement the ISA standards. Many of the control systems used today utilize B2MML languages in their operation. B2MML is a language produced by XML Working Group and the Forum for Automation and Manufacturing Professionals. Next time you think about the process in your factory consider if the language used to run it is B2MML. Using B2MML as your primary controller language and with the right machinery you should be able to run your business smoothly.

With these sorts of tools you can monitor and control your manufacturing system in a manner that will be the most efficient. These are great systems that have helped to make manufacturing generally much more efficient. Think of B2MML as being like the set of rules that monitors what your manufacturing system is doing. Information is submitted to the computer program, then read, and a logical outcome is determined. The programming language then makes changes by operating the requisite machinery. These days almost all control systems are computers and run through computer programs such as B2MML.

If you are considering investing in some sort of manufacturing operation you will need a control system to monitor and alter your process. This control system will be run by a computer and it will probably use B2MML. Through such a control system your inputs will be monitored according to a set point for production. The process will be sped up if more materials are needed and slowed down when they are not. Think of the control system as something like your thermostat. When it gets cold the controler senses the change and turns on your furnace. When it is extremely hot it stops the furnace and allows your home to cool down. However, the thermostat is a slightly misleading example because it is such a simple system.

The more complex computer run systems of today are based on computer languages. Without the language there would be no program and no way to enforce certain standards and rules. In short, the manufacturing process wouldnot be able to utilize such efficient controls and manufacturing would be much less efficient. Imagine trying to control a complex process of inputs and outputs by hand. Everything would have to be constantly slowed down or stopped as conditions changed. Thousands of dollars could be lost almost immediately. Languages like B2MML and the machinery that support it make a huge difference.