ANCA Academy March 2019

Imagine if your machines could talk to each other and talk to you. How much more efficient would your production be? How much more efficient would your team be?

With CNC software you could receive insights from a bank of connected machines to a single platform. Your machines would work in harmony, communicating with each other and then feeding critical, live data back to you. You would know instantly when something wasn’t working as it should, your service team would be alerted when new parts were required, and you would have the power to change programs with the touch of a button.

If your machines could talk, they would feed you enough data to have complete visibility over your factory floor at any time of day or night - and if they are also connected to the cloud - from anywhere in the world.

When your machines talk to each other and to you, you have an opportunity to reduce costs, improve the quality of your tools and find growth opportunities. CNC software enables rapid commissioning, better machine security and better data analytics.

 

Here’s what happens when software gets your machines talking:

1. You get control

The software is the single port of call for running programs that control how the CNC machine grinds the tool. There’s no need to load individual programs manually into each machine, it can be done from a single source. CNC software also gives you the ability to update programs in real time based on quality assessment feedback.

2. Your design becomes intuitive

CNC software gives you access to libraries, look-up tables and databases that capture best practices and your own preferences of your shop’s machining technology.

3. You can trust the quality of your tools

The monitoring software along with machine hardware and in-process measurement software provides highly accurate verification of tools as they are ground, ensuring they meet all the required parameters.

4. You know what’s going on, all the time

One of the biggest benefits of using CNC software is the detailed analytics. Data is available in real time and can include the status and activity of the machine including operating temperature, idle machines and error logs etc. This provides critical information to the back office to assess production and feedback into the supply chain. If machines are connected to other factory systems it can also provide a holistic view of your operations.

5. You never get surprised

CNC software reduces the amount of unexpected downtime. Your machines can tell you, in advance, when they needed servicing and give you the ability to pre-plan maintenance, order parts and keep the factory running smoothly.

 

Let’s get the conversation started

Getting your machines to talk to each other requires network connectivity and CNC software. You can connect machines using either WIFI or a cabled, LAN connection. Where possible it’s best to use a WIFI connection provided by the vendor to avoid messy cabling.

While newer machines come WIFI enabled, older machines can be retrofitted with a WIFI adaptor and software drivers. Check with your vendor first to make sure the driver software is supported.

 

Make sure everyone is part of the conversation

It’s important to take all factory and data systems into consideration when you’re getting your CNC machines to talk. Your entire network needs to work together effectively to give you a complete overview of your supply chain and usage patterns such as production levels, inventory, available capacity and order status. Again, this is something your vendor will be able to work through with you to ensure you get the most meaningful data from your systems.

 

Avoid awkward silences

We’ve mentioned it before, but it is important so we’ll mention it again: When you’re preparing to connect machines check with your vendor first - this time to ensure the CNC software is compatible. The wrong software can cause viruses and damage to the machines. But the right software can transform your business.

CNC software opens up a world of communication between your machines, making it easier to find productivity gains, create more accurate tools and have better business continuity. It’s time to start the conversation.

18 March 2019