10-Minute Tutorial: Create Your Own Chat GPT OPC UA Server

In my previous blog post, I discussed how GPT can revolutionize and optimize industrial production with two examples.

Today, I will show you how to build an OPC UA Server for the OpenAI ChatGPT API using the OPC Router and its Plug-ins. OPC UA is a standard for data exchange in industrial automation. It allows different devices and systems to communicate with each other securely and reliably.

The OpenAI ChatGPT API is a service that lets you interact with a powerful natural language model based on GPT. By creating an OPC UA Server for the ChatGPT API, you can enable your machines and operators to use natural language to control and monitor your production processes.

The OPC Router is a middleware that connects different data sources and destinations using Plug-ins. In this tutorial, we will use the OPC UA Server Plug-in and the REST Plug-in to create our OPC UA Server for the ChatGPT API.

Let's get started!

Getting Started: Setting up OPC Router and OpenAI API Integration

OpenAI Account Creation and API Access Key Setup

To begin, visit https://openai.com/ and create an account if you haven't done so already. If you already have an account, simply sign in at https://platform.openai.com/.

Next, click on your username in the top-right corner and select "View my API keys."

In the API keys section, click on the "Create new secret key" button. Give it the name "OPC Router." It's important to copy and securely store the API key in a safe location, as you'll need it later. Once generated, the API key cannot be retrieved from your account.

Setting up the OPC Router and Configuring the REST Plug-in for OpenAI API Integration

To get started with the OPC Router, you need to install it on your computer. You can get a free and fully functional demo version from the official website.?

After installing the OPC Router, you can open the OPC Router Management to create the REST Plug-in configuration to call the open AI API. To do this, navigate to the Plug-in Screen and select "Cloud / IoT". Then double click on "REST".

Click on "Create new REST connection" and fill out the form like this:

• Name: Open AI API
• URL: https://api.openai.com/v1/
• Headers: Authorization: Bearer sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To use the OpenAI API, you must send a valid authorization header with your requests. The header name is "Authorization" and the header value is "Bearer <YOUR_OPENAI_API_KEY>". Use your actual API key that you created earlier in this tutorial instead of <YOUR_OPENAI_API_KEY>.

Configuring the OPC UA Server Plug-in for Your OPC Router

To enable seamless integration of your production chat bot into systems like SCADA or HMI, we'll now configure the OPC UA Server Plug-in. This fully configurable OPC UA Server will provide an OPC UA Method for clients.

Follow these steps to configure the OPC UA Server Plug-in:

1. In the OPC Router management interface, navigate to the Plug-ins view.
2. Locate the "OPC-UA Server" in the Shopfloor category and double click on it.
3. Click on the "Create new Plug-in instance" button.
4. In the dialog box that appears, provide the following details:

• Name: OPC UA Chat GPT
• Leave the port and sample rate settings as default.
• Create a new server certificate by clicking on the "+" icon. Ensure that you add any necessary DNS entries, such as "localhost," to the certificate.
• Check the "allow anonymous connection" checkbox.
• In the "Address Space" section, you can create the desired hierarchy for your OPC UA Server.

No-Code Magic: Converting REST API to OPC UA Server with OPC Router's Simplicity

Linking the OPC UA Method call to Chat GPT with no-code

To link the OPC UA Server with the open AI API, you can easily design your OPC UA Server logic using a No-Code approach, simply by drag 'n drop.

1. The trigger plays a crucial role in initiating the transfer logic and receiving the "Question" from the OPC UA Client
2. Using the Question and System-Message for Chat GPT, we construct the request JSON structure
3. By utilizing the REST Transferobject, we make a call to the REST API and obtain a JSON response
4. The JSON response is then parsed using JSON Read, enabling us to extract the Response

Finally, the answer from Chat GPT is returned to the OPC UA Client, completing the communication loop.

Going Productive: Activating Your Chat GPT OPC UA Server

The Chat GPT OPC UA Server that you have created is ready to be activated and tested. To do this, you need to "Go productive" with your configuration. This will start the OPC UA Server and let you check its functionality. The "Go Productive" Screen is where you can find the "Go productive" button. Click on it to "Go productive".

Closing the Loop: Call your AI Assistant via OPC UA

To test your new Chat GPT OPC UA Server, you need an OPC UA Client that can invoke OPC UA Methods. A good option is the "UA Expert" tool from Unified Automation.

You can get the endpoint address from the OPC UA Server Plug-in configuration dialog and paste it in the "UA Expert" to connect to the OPC Server.

Once connected, you can find your Method in the left panel under "Address Space". You can right-click on it and choose "Call..." to execute it.

Efficient Data Monitoring with OPC Router's Diagnosis Feature

The diagnosis feature of the OPC Router allows you to access the status screen where you can see every data transfer that has occurred between the connected systems. You can filter the data by time, source, destination, event type, and more. You can also navigate through the event stream back in history and see the details of each data transfer.

The diagnosis feature of the OPC Router helps you to troubleshoot any issues that may arise in your data exchange and to optimise your system integration. You can easily identify any errors, delays, or data losses that may occur and take corrective actions accordingly. You can also use the diagnosis feature to verify that your data exchange is working as expected and that your systems are communicating correctly.

The Powerful diagnosis tool enables us to monitor and analyze our Chat GPT OPC UA communication flow. It shows us every request and response to our open AI REST API, along with the status and duration of each call. This helps us to identify and troubleshoot any issues or bottlenecks in our chat system.

The OPC Router is a versatile and reliable software solution for your Industry 4.0 projects. It supports a wide range of protocols and systems such as OPC UA, SAP, SQL, MQTT, REST, SOAP, Excel, printers, scales, MES, SCADA, LIMS, and more. With its graphical user interface, you can configure your data exchange in a simple and intuitive way. With its diagnosis feature, you can monitor and analyse your data exchange in real time and ensure its quality and performance.