ISO 21919-1:2019

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21919-1
First edition
2019-10
Automation systems and
integration — Interfaces for
automated machine tending —
Part 1:
Overview and fundamental principles
Systèmes d’automatisation et integration — Interfaces pour le
chargement automatisé des machines —
Partie 1: Aperçu et principes fondamentaux
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
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ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Description of the interfaces . 4
4.1 General . 4
4.2 Structure, range and standards of the interface . 4
4.2.1 General. 4
4.2.2 Characteristics of the interface . 4
4.2.3 Conformance class . 5
4.2.4 Conformance options . 6
4.2.5 Extension of the interfaces . 7
4.2.6 Description of the signal structure . . 8
4.2.7 Index for parts-related signals .12
4.2.8 Standards for signal exchange .12
5 Documentation .14
Annex A (informative) Illustrative examples .15
Bibliography .18
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
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iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 184, Automation systems and integration,
Subcommittee SC 1, Physical device control.
A list of all parts in the ISO 21919 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Automated machine tending refers to the automatic loading or unloading of one or more machines by
using a machine tending device.
NOTE Examples for machines are machine tools, typically computer numerically controlled (CNC), metrology
co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM), 3D structured light scanner (3DSL), and X-ray machines. Examples
for machine tending devices are robots, handling systems, gantries, autonomous intelligent vehicles (AIV), and
automated guided vehicles (AGV).
Automated machine tending is a substantial element in highly productive industrial environments. It
is a complex endeavour. Necessary devices are complex systems in themselves, are often provided by
different suppliers and they encounter each other for the first time at the production site. For a trouble-
free collaboration of all units, a clear definition of the interfaces is indispensable. For manufacturing
systems, such standardized interfaces at an international level have not yet been defined.
The definition of the interfaces is often project-specific from the start or each supplier tries to establish
its in-house standards. These procedures cause great efforts, are prone to failure and take a lot of time
and manpower. As each interface is built individually and testing beforehand is often not possible,
commissioning times exceed the planned ones. Machine builders, system integrators and production
plant operators report these issues being substantial obstacles for such automation projects.
Standardized interfaces lead to lean coordination processes, give higher planning reliability, shorten
times for commissioning and are less error-prone.
On the other hand, automated machine tending systems can be very complex systems and standards
need to be flexible enough to allow an adaption to the requirements of individual projects.
Applications range from simple parts removal to material flow dedicated complex production lines. The
processing technologies of the machines are independent from the interface and a majority of machine
technologies can be integrated with the same standard.
Figure 1 and Figure 2 display the range of complexity of machine tending systems covered by ISO 21919.
Figure 1 shows an example of a simple automated machine tending system, consisting of a machine tool
loaded by a conveyor.
Figure 1 — Example of a simple automated machine tending system
Figure 2 shows an example of a complex production line with five computer numerically controlled
machine tools tended by a loading gantry.
Figure 2 — Example of a complex production line loaded by a gantry
In general, the interfaces for automated machine tending are composed of mechanical, control-related,
and safety-related connections.
vi © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21919-1:2019(E)
Automation systems and integration — Interfaces for
automated machine tending —
Part 1:
Overview and fundamental principles
1 Scope
ISO 21919 describes interfaces for automated machine tending of at least one computer numerically
controlled (CNC) machine by using a machine tending device. These interfaces are the link between
automated machine tending devices and machines used for production. The automated machine tending
is initiated by either the machine tending system or by the machine.
This document gives an overview and defines the fundamental principles on how the interfaces are set
up. It defines the necessary vocabulary and sets the syntax for the structure of signals. It distinguishes
between the safety interface, the control interface and project specific extensions.
This document defines three conformance classes and dedicated conformance options. Classes and
options consist of a number of signals to simultaneously:
— allow a flexible adaptation of the interface(s) to a project-specific scope of functions;
— tie sets of signals tight enough to avoid unnecessary coordination efforts between suppliers of the
machine tending devices and machines.
ISO 21919 concentrates on the control-related and safety-related connections. It does not describe the
mechanical connections, it does not determine the transfer physics, a pin assignment, the hardware
of the interfaces or measure of communication, e.g. protocol, and it is not intended to be used for
communication to a MES (Manufacturing Execution System).
NOTE ISO 21919-2 deals with the safety interface and control interface, allocating signals to a conformance
class and/or conformance option, describing the detailed functions of each signal, describing and displaying the
timing interactions between signals in flow charts and showing examples for safety matrices and safety-related
functional relationships.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
part
physical entity with its digital description [data (3.19)] that is transported into and out of the machine
(3.4) by the machine tending system (3.3)
EXAMPLE Workpieces, sets of workpieces on workpiece carriers, tools, sets of tools in tool carriers.
3.2
functional unit
device or system which transports, receives or renders parts (3.1)
EXAMPLE Machines (3.4) and automated machine tending (3.5) systems.
3.3
machine tending system
functional unit (3.2) transporting parts (3.1) without changing their physical properties
EXAMPLE Robots, conveyors, gantries, bar feed systems, handling systems.
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.1.
3.4
machine
functional unit (3.2) changing the physical properties of parts (3.1)
EXAMPLE Machine tools, measuring machines, washing machines and assembly systems.
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.1.
3.5
automated machine tending
process of transporting parts (3.1) into or out of a machine (3.4) by a machine tending system (3.3)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.1.
3.6
interface
shared boundary between two functional units (3.2), defined by various characteristics pertaining to the
functions, physical interconnections, signal (3.7) exchanges, and other characteristics, as appropriate
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 2382:2015, 2121308, modified — Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.7
signal
information transferred between functional units (3.2) via the interface (3.6)
3.8
interference area
shared work area between functional units (3.2)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.2.
3.9
interference area preposition
interference area (3.8) without the area of the transfer station (device)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.2.
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

3.10
coherent transfer
transfer of parts (3.1) where one functional unit (3.2) keeps the part form-locked until the other
functional unit has it securely clamped
Note 1 to entry: A distinction between coherent and non-coherent transfer can be made for loading and unloading
operations.
E
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