Object-oriented interface to MMS services

The application of numerically controlled devices in production processes has stimulated an extensive development of communication means enabling the entire production plant to be supervised and controlled from a centralized place. In doing so, the key factor was to provide interworking of heterogeneous equipment of different manufacturers. The main standard organizing inter-device communication is the ISO's Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) defining respective services and protocols. The applications governing manufacturing devices interact with MMS by using a suitable API (application programming interface). We present one approach to MMS API, that is developed for use under Windows 95/NT.