Have a DNC Software Backup Plan

A DNC software user's hands are seen on the keyboard with an Error messages that says "Please contact support."A DNC Software Backup Plan for Shop Floor Power Outages

As a shop floor owner, you have plans. Aside from quotas, managing employees and estimated revenue, you also need to account for your livelihood, which would be your machines. Since one item can be dependent of another, power supply, network data, and DNC Software are all crucial factors to keep machines going.

When you run a manufacturing plant, you know that uptime is critical, so having a secondary plan is a must.  What will you do if the power goes out? You’ll deploy your backup generators.  If your network data gets corrupted, you have backup data you can restore.

But what happens when your DNC goes down?

Imagine you are running a shop with one of our Wireless DNC systems. Everything is going smoothly, as usual. Then, the IT person changes around the Wireless Network in the office without proper authority. Your system then takes a nosedive because of this one action.

A great solution? Our Portable USB Connect device can connect to the RS232 port on your machine for a temporary way to get files into the machine, so even if the Wi-Fi goes out or there are related issues, you still have a backup plan.

Contact our sales team or tweet us at @SFA_inc if you want more info on how to avoid the nightmare scenario we mentioned above.

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Getting Military Veterans Manufacturing Jobs

workshops for warriors Workshops for Warriors Visit

Every day, younger workers find the manufacturing industry. Organization Workshops for Warriors (WFW) is also guiding deserving veterans to fill these crucial jobs.

In June of 2016, Shop Floor Automations got to attend an amazing open house. WFW prides itself on assisting soldiers who come home – especially those wounded, with physical limitations or with PTSD.

Check out a student testimonial from Workshops for Warriors 

The event drew a sizable crowd who met in the main office. Hernán Luis y Prado, the founder of the program, was all smiles upon meeting everyone for a facility tour.

“It’s great to love our veterans,” Hernán said during the tour. “But love alone doesn’t get our vets these jobs.”

Hernán definitely means business when it comes to helping out his fellow veterans. Having served in the Navy, he saw firsthand that transitioning from serving in the military to civilian life was a struggle.

The current WFW center has a large workstation of computers, $6 Million worth of equipment donations (from Haas and Reliance Steel & Aluminum), and various other equipment. Hernan says WFW is truly “the school that America built,” as Hernán puts it. Read more below!

Read more

May/June 2016 SFA Newsletter

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThis is an archive of our May/June 2016 Shop Floor Automations Newsletter.

New Pricing for Floppy Drive Emulators

Do you have machines that are still running with floppy drives?
Our Floppy Drive Emulator is the perfect solution to keep older machines
running with USB devices rather than outdated floppy disks. This device works
on numerous controls and we have an amazing support team to help you over the phone.

The great news is that if you have Haas CNC Machines, the Floppy Emulator is Plug & Play –
you can just order it online and you’re good to go!

Call us to determine what other CNC’s
we can help you with. We’re always happy to hear from you.

“Lights-Out” Manufacturing Through Automation

In many parts of the country, electricity prices are continually rising.
Power providers are charging lower rates to customers who use the majority of their energy
during off-peak hours. By utilizing lights-out manufacturing, machine shops can run during
off-peak hours and save on power bills.

Our solutions such as Predator MDC Software
or Scytec DataXchange can automate processes and allow for lights-out production to become
a reality on your shop floor.

DataXchange Pays for Itself

Decrease downtime by knowing exactly what your machines are doing at all times of the day.

Scytec DataXchange can easily increase uptime by more than 30 minutes per machine, per day! This increase in productivity means the software will typically pay for itself within the first few days of the month.

Imagine the potential savings of knowing when a machine is sitting in
a feed hold, running at a lower feed rate, or if a program stops
altogether. Production will be at an all-time high and the benefits can be substantial.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION –
Toll Free: (877) 611-5825
LINK TO ORIGINAL NEWSLETTER HERE

Lights-Out Manufacturing Saves Money

Lights-Out Manufacturing Saves Money

Disturbed by your machine shop electricity bills? You are likely not imagining things if you feel like they’re just getting higher. Lights-out manufacturing may help ease this stress.

Lights Out ManufacturingAccording to Philip Moeller of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, this is a trend we won’t be able to shake off in coming years. “We are now in an era of rising electricity prices,” he said in this article, attributing the growth to modern consumption. “If you take enough supply out of the system, the price is going to increase.”

While some companies try to turn to solar or wind power for energy alternatives, many shops choose to remain on a more reliable power source, which puts them at the mercy of power companies. Especially for shops that are located in California, the same state Shop Floor Automations has its main office, there is an estimated 47 percent jump in electric prices for our state within the next 14 years!

According to the US Energy Administration, the commercial and industrial sections take up more than half of the electricity consumption rates in America. Average prices of 6.89 cents to 10.59 cents per kilowatthour means your bill will add up quick. Is there any way the manufacturing industry can save money on power? Read more below or keep scrolling for the rest of the story.

Read more

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See Our Latest Ad in CNC West Magazine

CNC WestCheck out our latest ad in CNC West Magazine from the April/May 2016 issue.

Predator Touch HMI is the latest edition to our software line and we are excited to spread the word with CNC West Magazine!

Predator Touch HMI supports creating easy to use big button manufacturing shop floor interfaces for data collection, process, or shop floor automation. Clicking or touching a big button will trigger one or more actions. Often Predator Touch HMIs replace bar code readers and QR code readers.

This Windows-based software is licensed per site. An unlimited number of HMIs can be created and installed on Windows-based PCs, CNCs, CMMs, test stands, and other shop floor equipment. Predator Touch HMI is designed for today’s security requirements with most functions running on the server via Predator DNC, MDC or PDM. For example, email messages are sent from a central Predator DNC server and not from individual shop floor PCs running Predator Touch HMI.

Tweet us at @SFA_inc to tell us what you think, or call us if you have questions at 877-611-5825!

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NTMA Poker Run Event

NTMA san diegoNTMA Poker Event

Join us at the Belching Beaver for an exciting NTMA poker run event where participants draw cards from table to table while enjoying some craft brew!

Tuesday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The grand prize winner will receive a Portable USB Connect, retail value of $700!

This device acts as an interface between USB memory drives and any CNC machine. Click below to learn more about the Portable USB Connect.

Where: 
Belching Beaver Brewery, 
980 Park Center Drive, Suite A 
Vista, California 92081
 
Cost: $15 (Includes dinner)
More info at the original newsletter

More about NTMA:

Shop Floor Automations is a proud associate member of the San Diego Chapter of NTMA. The National Tooling & Machining Association works to create allies within the San Diego region of the local machining and tool industry by fostering mutual success through education, technology, and communication.

We encourage you to take advantage of what this great organization has to offer. Please check the schedule below in order to find upcoming events held by NTMA.

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SFA Product Featured in MoldMaking Technology

MoldMaking Technology

MoldMaking Technology

We are excited to see our company’s press release featured in MoldMaking Technology, the most comprehensive magazine for mold, tool and die shop managers. Check out the article on MMT’s website or read our full press release below.

La Mesa, CA – January 28, 2015 – Shop Floor Automations (SFA), a leader in automation solutions and technology is excited to announce the release of a new product version of Scytec DataXchange Software.

DataXchange is simple and easy-to-use machine monitoring software that can increase efficiency and save time on the shop floor. Detailed data collection is no problem with a monthly billing system and no long-term contracts. DataXchange also offers real-time reporting presented on the user dashboard in order for shop owners and operators to instantly track productivity and plan for increased efficiency in their shops.

DataXchange version 2016.01.27 offers new features and functionality. With the addition of an Application Program Interface (API), DataXchange can easily integrate with other software and hardware. Additionally, new charting and reporting functions have been introduced as well as enhanced MTConnect communication. Featured in the photo, the new Target Utilization chart displays the desired utilization number next to the actual utilization for each piece of equipment. Colors are used to identify how close the actual values are within the defined targets. With an improved interface and Data Entry Screen, Scytec DataXchange is truly a state-of-the-art tool that no machine shop should operate without.

For more information: www.shopfloorautomations.com, email: info@shopfloorautomations.com,

Tel: 619-461-4000, fax: 619-461-5918, toll free: 877-611-5825.

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Predator Software Top Reseller Again

An infographic for Predator Software with a marker and several clip art gears and symbols relating to DNC software.Predator Software Top Reseller

We are proud to be the top reseller of Predator Software 16 years running and we are determined to continue this streak for the years to come!

“There is something happening with our business, knowing our customers are our biggest fans, referring new business to us, “ Greg Mercurio, President of Shop Floor Automations, says.  “We have close relationships with our customers, CAD/CAM partners, machine tool distributors, and other ERP/MRP that believe in our sales, service, and support staff.  They know SFA will take care of them and recommend Predator as the best solution.”

Thank you to all of our customers in making us an industry leader in manufacturing automation solutions.

Sincerely,

The SFA Team

January/February 2016 SFA Newsletter

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archive of our January/February 2016 Shop Floor Automations Newsletter.

Please note that the newsletter sent out had a typo of the date “January/February 2015” in the title, but this email was sent out February 16th, 2016.

The Internet of Things for Machines

How the Internet of Things is Helping Plants with Maintenance Leverage Tablets and Mobile Devices with Touch HMI

Join us on April 14th at 12:00PM PST, to learn how machine monitoringand data collection can make predictive maintenance a reality in your operations.
Bigfoot CMMS and Scytec DataXchange will be coming together to
discuss their software applications and integration options.

This smart technology is bringing the Internet of Things closer to
the shop floor, automating processes that could only be done manually
in the past.

See real-world examples and the benefits of cloud-based machine
monitoring and asset management, and see how high your utilization
and asset management strategy can soar.

Traditionally, a machine shop operator might initiate a process or operation
by scanning a bar code or QR code. With the release of Predator Touch HMI,
simple touch screen buttons can replace these traditional methods.
With one touch, you can send a CNC program to a machine, send email notifications,
display work instructions, or trigger many more customizable functions.

This application not only saves time but allows for an easy to use
process to be implemented with no install needed!
Learn more about Predator Touch HMI and DNC software to see
how you can further automate your machine shop.

Is Your Shop Ready for El Nino?

The recent weather trends have proved problematic to many machine shops.
Lightning strikes, floods and extreme wind can easily take out the power
or cause electrical surges.  In the case of power outages due to extreme weather,
machine shops can’t afford to lose CNC communication.

USB Connect backups are the perfect way to keep producing parts
in the case of an unexpected network error.  Portable or Pendant USB hardware
is a simple solution to keep productivity on schedule during unforeseen problems.

NTMA Member Discounts, Benefits and Meetings!

Shop Floor Automations is a proud Associate Member of the NTMA in San
Diego. To show appreciation for NTMA members across the US, we offer a 10%
off discount on Software and a 5% off discount on Hardware for all
active NTMA members.

NTMA works to cultivate our industry’s community so we can come
together, collaberate and learn from each other.

Are Your Machines Actually Cutting?     

Modern Machine Shop recently released an article about one of our customers
that recently began utilizing data collection software in order to improve efficiency.

This article explains how machine monitoring can improve efficiencies
outside of the machining cycle. Data Collection gives operators and shop managers a clear visual
of what is actually happening on the shop floor. Read the full article HERE.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

Call us for info at
Toll Free: (877) 611-5825

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Are You Improving Operations With Data Collection?

Data Driven Manufacturing Data CollectionImprove Lean Production Operations With Data Collection

“Cloud” applications can be found virtually everywhere today, and for good reason. Join us on April 14th at 12:00 p.m. PST to learn how cloud-based machine monitoring and data collection can make predictive maintenance a reality in your operations.

The webinar will be hosted by Smartware Group, Inc., makers of Bigfoot CMMS, and Scytec, makers of DataXchange. These experts will introduce the latest technologies to monitor and collect asset data and integrate this data for actionable and results-oriented operations and maintenance management.

Register for this machine monitoring webinar to glean real-world examples of the benefits of cloud-based machine monitoring and asset management, and see how high your utilization and asset management strategy can soar.

Get more information and register.