Modeling AutomationML: Semantic Web technologies vs. Model-Driven Engineering

Modeling engineering knowledge explicitly and representing it by means of standardized modeling languages and in machine-understandable form enables advanced engineering processes in industrial and factory automation. This affects positively both process and product quality. In this paper we explore how the AutomationML format, an emerging data exchange standard, that supports the Industry 4.0 vision, can be represented by means of two established modeling approaches - Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) and Semantic Web. We report observed differences w.r.t. resulting model features and model creation process and, additionally, present the application possibilities of the developed models for engineering process improvement in a production system engineering context.