Since its inception, the OMAC Packaging Machine Language (PackML) group has been using a variety of information sources and technical documents to define a common approach, or machine language, for automated machines. The primary goals are to encourage a common “look and feel” across a plant floor, and to enable and encourage industry innovation. The PackML group is recognized globally and consists of control vendors, OEMs, system integrators, universities, and end users, which collaborate on definitions that endeavor to be consistent with the ISA88 standards and consistent with the technology and the changing needs of a majority of automated machinery. The term “machine” used in this report is equivalent to an ISA88 “unit.”

This has led to the following:

a) a definition of machine/unit state types,

b) a definition of machine/unit control modes,

c) a definition of unit control mode management,

d) state models, state descriptions, and mode and state transitions, and

e) a definition of the minimum PackTags required for performance monitoring.