Release 16.0

ECLASS 16.0 comprises in comparison to Release 15.0 

• 995 new classes (CC, AS, BL, AC), thereof 137 new classification classes (CCs)
• 1.253 new properties
• 985 new values
• 126 new value lists

All downloads available from the ECLASS Shop generally contain a complete ECLASS version in csv format or XML format (for initial implementation). For information on the data structure, please refer to the enclosed README file. 

The content has been extensively expanded, particularly in the following segments: 

• Segment 23 "Machine element, fastener, fixing, mounting"
  • New commodity classes in 23-30 "Linear motion technology, Rotary systems", e.g.
    • 23-30-17-00 "Linear motion module, Linear motion axis"
    • 23-30-18-00 "Electromechanical cylinder"
    • 23-30-24-00 "Electromechanical rotary actuator"
  • And new commodity classes on third level, e.g.
    • 23-01-04-00 "Hand wheel / Crank handle (machine handle)"
    • 23-01-06-00 "Quick release fastener"
    • 23-01-07-00 "Leveling feet, leveling mount"
• Segment 27 "Electric engineering, automation, process control engineering"
  • New classes and enhancement of these with properties in 27-38-03-00 "Gripper (electric)", e.g.
    • 27-38-03-01 "Parallel gripper (electric)"
    • 27-38-03-02 "Angular gripper (electric)"
    • 27-38-03-03 "Rotary gripper (electric)"
  • New classes due to the ETIM Harmonisation, e.g.
    • 27-21-07-17 "Immersion thermostat"
    • 27-21-07-18 "Fancoil thermostat"
    • 27-21-07-19 "Zone controller"
• Segment 36 "Machine, apparatus"
  • 36-64-14-00 "Machine Vision System"
• Segment 50 "Interior furnishing", e.g.
  • 50-11-09-25 "Rolling pin"
• Segment 51 "Fluid power"
  • New main group 51-58 "Electronics and software (hydraulics)", with new classification classes, e.g.
    • 51-58-01-01 "Valve amplifier with feedback (hydraulics)"
    • 51-58-01-02 “Valve amplifier without feedback (hydraulics)”
• Extension of the "Material Declaration" aspect, which is attached to all classes
  • Includes information on critical ingredients and has been added for all classification classes (except classes describing services)
  • Enhancement with legal or regulatory requirement to disclose the specific components, compounds, or chemical substances that make up a manufactured item—ensuring transparency for safety, environmental compliance, or consumer awareness (to be found in Block 0173-1#01-AKA421#001)

For Release 16.0 a total of approximately 23,300 definitions for classification classes have been generated using ChatGPT. To ensure transparency, any definition created by artificial intelligence is explicitly marked in the “source of definition” attribute with the designation “machine generated by GPT-4o mini.” This approach provides clear traceability and distinguishes AI-generated content from manually authored definitions.

With Release 7.0 an improved structure according to the underlying ISO13584 data model and an ISO-standard XML format (OntoML) was introduced.

Starting with ECLASS Release 7.0, there are two different versions of ECLASS which contain the same classes but differ in the product description based on properties and values. Since Release 13.0, the ECLASS standard has included extensions for the Asset Administration Shell (AAS). Regarding the data model, in addition to BASIC and ADVANCED a new application class of the type "Asset" has been introduced. 

BASIC (in csv- or XML format)
The BASIC version contains only the content that could be represented in a csv format that was the exclusively used export format before 7.0. Therefore, it does not contain property block structures nor dynamic elements as in the ADVANCED version. BASIC does contain all classes of the ADVANCED, but the product description with the help of properties and values is structured a lot easier. BASIC is therefore a subset of ADVANCED and only includes properties that are flagged as "Basic relevant".

ADVANCED (only in XML format)
The ADVANCED version is the leading version in the database and built based on the data model ISO13584. It contains all structural elements of the ECLASS classification system including property blocks, dynamic elements such as reference properties, polymorphism, and cardinality blocks. The description of these extended structural components as well as additional information can be found under ADVANCED Version in our Technical Support. 

Note: Each classification class refers to an ADVANCED, a BASIC application class, and an ASSET AC, that contains the product description with the help of properties and values. The ADVANCED version contains the complete content of ECLASS and is therefore an extension of the BASIC version. 

In our Technical Support you find an overview (matrix of functionalities) which makes it possible for you to compare the two versions (BASIC and ADVANCED) and their possibilities. A provided reference table (XML-File: Mapping BASIC_ADVANCED_ADVANCED) enables users of the ADVANCED version to exchange technical data with users of the BASIC version. The necessary know-how must be delivered by the user of the ADVANCED version.

ASSET (only in XML format)
In Release 13.0, Asset Application Classes were created for all classes on the fourth level in the segments 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 28, 32, 33, 36, 49, 50 and 51. In addition, the so-called "submodel templates" for the AAS were created as aspects at the content level and were added to the Asset AC in these classes. In addition to the BASIC and ADVANCED representation, ECLASS e.V. publishes a derivation of the type "Asset". This contains all Asset Application Classes including the submodel template aspects. 

ECLASS 16.0 (Asset) is free to all users; no order is required. You can activate the product yourself:

By entering the discount code "asset-158" in "My Profile", ECLASS 16.0 (Asset) is immediately available for free in the personal download area for all registered ECLASS users.

ECLASS 16.0 BASIC (csv)

• classes file (complete)
• properties file (contains properties marked as "Basic relevant")
• keywords and synonyms file
• values file (complete)
• unit file (complete)
• class-property relations file
• value lists (restricted property-value relations file, only BOOLEAN properties)
• proposal lists (suggested class-property-value relations file incl. constraints)
• README-file ECLASS standard 

 
ECLASS 16.0 BASIC (XML) or ADVANCED (XML)

• Dictionaries: include 39 XML files, hence for each segment one XML file that contains the complete content of the relevant segment (classes, keywords, properties, synonyms, values, value lists, units and all relations) (complete)
• Templates: Since Release 10.0.1, the "Templates" folder already known from previous Releases does not contain any content. The reason for this is the future handling of templates to deliver and publish only "default" templates with substantial content. This may change for future Releases. Templates contain a Data Requirement Statement for the data exchange, in which it can be defined, e.g. sequences or optional and mandatory fields between the data transmitter and the receiver. You can find more information in our Technical Support under Templates.
• ECLASS units ("UnitsML" in XML format)
• Only ADVANCED: Additionally for the ADVANCED user the mapping file BASIC - ADVANCED is included
• README-file