Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – SEPT/OCT 2014

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – September/October 2014 issue.

Predator Software has released a new version of the Predator CNC Editor.

The new features include support for Windows 8, a new backplot engine, support for sub programs and subroutines, a new check code and several new improvements.

If you need a simple product to upload and download to your CNC machines, backplot, and do a file comparison, the CNC Editor v10 might be the right package.  Save 10% if you order by Oct 31, 2014 – promo code: EDITv10

Customers on maintenance can download v10 from our website at anytime.  Customers running v9 or older should contact us for upgrade details and pricing.

Are you moving or adding new machines in the next 12 months? 

We have found that we can be of great assistance if we are brought into the planning stages early.  We have 16 years of experience in setting up new systems and migrating plants to new locations.

If you are using RS232 cabling, consider upgrading to a wireless solution. We also offer consulting on computer requirements, infrastructure, and the next step toward document control, paperless manufacturing, and machine monitoring.

Reach out to us to migrate your DNC system to Windows 7 or 8 with the ability to control and manage your network based CNCs.  Our Account Executives are here to support you with a click away.

In a recent case study done by Modern Machine Shop in October 2014 issue, Scytec Data Xchange maximizes efficiency on the shop floor.

“Productivity monitoring can be a vague concept to wrap your head around, but once you see it for yourself with our own machines and with live data, you wonder immediately how you ever operated without that knowledge and awareness.” said Jerry Halley.

The cloud-based machine monitoring from Shop Floor Automations enabled aerospace parts manufacturer, Tech Manufacturing, to reduce lead times and improve productivity.

The process started with a few machines at a low cost, of $45 per machine, per month and the ROI was seen within a few weeks. Low cost upfront, no long term contracts and easy to get started with any type of CNC controller.

Link to original newsletter HERE

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Predator DNC Software and Ascendant eXtremeDNC Software Compared

DNC SoftwareDNC Software features compared

Predator DNC software and Ascendant eXtremeDNC software are two great tools for CNC networking of different CNCs, punch press, waterjets and other industrial equipment. They are each used to manage different types of programs. Ascendant eXtrmeDNC was the first DNC open architecture application for the 32-bit Windows operating system. It was first introduced in 1993, upgraded in 2010 to make it compatible with modern operating systems, and adapted to Ethernet, wired, and wireless hardware. It was developed for Windows NT 3.5 but with the modifications, it could be applied to some modern operating systems other than a Windows based OS. It works best in a Windows 7 or Server 2008 operating systems.

However, the introduction of Predator DNC software revolutionized the CNC and DNC world. This is because of the enormous multitasking functions that can be performed on it. It has more capacity to upload, download, and drip-feed. Just like the Ascendant eXtremeDNC Software, Predator DNC Software has wireless and Ethernet support. Predator DNC also uses a “object-oriented” tool library to build on functionality as the user desires. The solution also allows for a full upgrade path to other modules, such as machine monitoring, product data management, and tool rib management. While eXtremeDNC has connection ports that could serve 1023 communication networks at a time, Predator DNC Software has 4096 connection and it can be used with 4096 machines simultaneously. This gives it more networking capacity.

extremedncStill, eXtremeDNC software is a useful tool, it serves different purposes for its users. It is a smart architecture compliance server which supports transmission and effective maintenance of files. If a server failure occurs or there is a loss of server networking file transmissions are not disrupted.

EXtremeDNC does not require a lot of setup and configuration. Out of the box, the product comes with several CNC templates ready to communicate to the machine tool The software enhances functions such as email notifications, it facilitates the auto tag, and renames standardization. It also enables control and easy integration of third party software. Another great aspect to eXtremeDNC Is the client/server functionality that provides true, real-time feedback as to the status of transfer. The licensing is flexible as well to purchase only the ports needed and floats without any additional modules. Read more below.

Read more

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Add USB to Any RS232 CNC Machine

Add USB to Any CNC Machine


Add USB to any RS232 CNC machine with an RS232 comm port on your shop floor. Eliminate floppy disks, PCMCIA cards or manual data entry methods of CNC communication by adding USB to any machine, any brand with our USB connect solutions.

Let Shop Floor Automations provide you with a simple to use, easy to connect and flexible system to transfer your CNC programs to your machines. This eliminates the downtime resulting from failing floppy disks or disk drives that no longer read the CNC programs you spend hours to create.

Add USB to Any RS232 CNC Machine with USB Connect Solutions on machines such as Haas, FANUC, Mazak, Okuma, Fadal, Mori Seiki, & more. The compatibility list is updated frequently!

We offer a model that can be mounted on the CNC control pendant so operators can quickly select the files they want to download, upload or drip-feed to CNC machines. The USB connect comes with all necessary cables and includes a 2GB memory stick.

If you have several machines or need a backup to your DNC system, our portable USB device is the perfect solution. The unit can be configured to work with machines that have different baud rates and leverage colored USB sticks for specific program types.

Visit us at shopfloorautomations.com or call 877-611-5825 to learn more about how we can help automate your shop floor.

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Improve Machine Uptime and Productivity

Machine Uptime and Productivity

Using Machine Monitoring and Data Collection Software, you can improve Machine Uptime and Productivity! Every minute on the shop floor counts toward profitability and increased production.

Shop Floor Automations has been working with shop floors in the manufacturing industry since 1998 making machines more efficient and reliable.

If you could eliminate downtime and provide operators, shop managers and mid- management with real-time dashboards along with historical reports and charts, everyone becomes accountable. Shop Floor Automations provides Predator or Scytec machine monitoring and data collection systems to deliver measurable cycle times, spindle utilization and why CNC machines are idle.

We offer cloud-based CNC monitoring systems starting at $45 per month as well as on-premise solutions that run on SQL or Oracle and can be deployed in weeks. We can also make magic with solutions like MT Connect and a simple MDC adapter.

If you want to replace a paper system or whiteboards, or are just looking to learn more about how we can help you, visit us at shopfloorautomations.com or give us a call at 877-611-5825.

We look forward to connecting with you, and helping your shop floor!

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DNC Networking Software for CNC Communication to Machines

DNC software for CNC communication


Shop Floor Automations has been providing DNC software to communicate to CNC machines since 1998. We provide two leading software product lines: Predator Software and Ascendant Technologies.

Most companies have methods to deliver files to machines, but are limited to using floppy disks, USB sticks, PCMCIA cards, and tape readers—or even manual typing. Theses methods use several hours to load programs, but offer no revision control, management of proven or released files, or traceability.

With our solutions, we can implement a product that improves productivity and tracks every upload, download or drip-feed to the CNC, while decreasing the time it takes to load programs. Every minute on the shop floor counts, and if we can save you 5 minutes a day, your new system could be paid for in months.

We offer wired and wireless solutions, personalized to meet your specific needs. Want to learn more? Visit us at shopfloorautomations.com or call us at 877-611-5825. More info on our DNC Solutions:

Manage your CNC programs, machine parameters, & offsets. Enjoy a wide range of CNC communication options from your Predator PCs for drip-feeding, downloading, & bi-directional communication. Upload via parallel, RS232, RS422 Ethernet, & wireless Ethernet for thousands of CNC machines. With Microsoft Office  & Windows Explorer-compatible user interface (Windows 10 O/S supported), use familiar features for drag & drop, cut, copy, paste, shortcut menus, object-based menus, toolbars, tool tips, & available online help.

Improve CNC revision control while using existing ERP & MES bar-coded paperwork. Eliminate time wasted walking back & forth between your CNC & PC with a Remote Request function. Consider a 32-Bit, Multi-thread, Multi-tasking, Open-Architecture DNC Software solution that works wired & wirelessly.

Simplify operations with one network for all of your CNC machines, Robots, PLCs, & part makers, grouped by building or cell.

We offer the following DNC Communication solutions: Predator DNC, Ascendant extremeDNC, Predator TouchHMI, and Predator EditLock. We also have many pieces of hardware to help your shop floor achieve wireless DNC.

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DNC Manufacturing: Automate your CNC with DNC software

DNC Manufacturing: Automate CNC machines with DNC software

View this brief video for more information on how we can help automate your CNC machine.

Via our Software solutions page:

Shop Floor Automations (SFA) uses the top software brands in the manufacturing industry to provide and support the best solutions for our customers. They can make your machine shop more efficient using machine monitoring, job scheduling, DNC, document control, CNC editing, and more.

SFA is committed to addressing manufacturing automation needs of customers with individualized solutions. By offering an extensive collection of software and hardware products, they scale automation solutions to customers of any size and range. SFA’s goal is to build lasting partnerships with customers by understanding their specific manufacturing & production needs.

Ascendant Technologies – Manufacturing industry software applications

  • eXtremeDNC: Drip-feeding & bi-directional communication with over 1000 CNCs.
  • XYZPRO 32 Plus: User friendly G-Code editing & backplotting.

Predator Software – Automate, network, monitor & control your machine shop

  • CNC Editor: Shop floor editing, tracking & control.
  • DNC: Shop floor connectivity, controls & communication.
  • MDC:  Data collection of shop floor productivity metrics to improve operations & decisions.
  • PDM: SFA helps coordinate & control shop documents plus revisions.
  • Tracker: Help for shop floor editing, tracking & control.

Scytec – Data collection to get the most of your machines

  • DataXchange: Tools to measure, analyze & improve your shop floor.

 

 

MTConnect – SFA utilizes this universal factory floor communication standard to enable the efficient transfer of data between devices & software applications. More info here

A desktop computer helps automate the CNC process by running machine monitoring software .

Call (877) 611-5825 for more information

 

Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – July/August 2014

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – July/August 2014 issue.

We’ve added a convenient live chat feature to our website.

You can now communicate with a live person instantly via chat on our site. It is found in the lower left corner.

Our live chat staff can answer technical questions; provide shipment status, stock levels, and general pricing on product or services; help you navigate our website and online store; or help you consult with our sales staff.

Scytec’s DataXchange has updates that add some new features based on customer feedback.

The primary addition is being able to have saved charts and source connection notifications. Several other features include part numbers and counts being displayed on the real-time dashboard, filtering by shift, and having unlimited displays and reporting to clients on PCs, iPads, monitors, and more.

More customers have started adding machines due to the free 2-week trial, during which the payback can be seen immediately.

Leverage the power of Okuma THINC with Predator CNC Service to provide intelligent software-based machine monitoring via an Ethernet interface.

Predator CNC Service supports machine operation modes, cycle counters, variables, feeds, and speeds for all makes and models of Okuma Mills and Lathes with P300, P200 and P100 CNCs. Leverage the power of Predator Machine Monitoring and Data Collection from within Okuma THINC to simplify and track CNC machining and productivity. Contact us for a free 30-day trial.

Over the 16 years we have been installing DNC systems, both Ethernet and wireless, we have been asked many times if there is a way to connect our DNC systems to the RS232 port internally in the CNC control, with a hardware connection to the network, but still being able to leverage the DB25 connection on the outside of the machine. The answer is YES!

We have developed a “Y” interface cable to keep the outside serial port operational to plug in a laptop or external USB Connect device and run the DNC system. If and when things fail, simply plug in the external device and the Y interface cable does it all and keeps your system up and running. Send us an email for more details.

Link to original newsletter

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CMMS from Production Machining Magazine

DataXchange Smartware CMMSProduction Machining Magazine

There is a good article about CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) from Bigfoot CMMS in the April 2014 edition of Production Machining. Shop Floor Automations provides an excellent solution for those needs.

Automation is what is propelling manufacturing today, and I’m not only talking about machine tool automation. Automation can and does occur in the office as well with the implementation of shop management software and tool data management software.

A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) is one example of a tool that automates preventive maintenance schedules on shop equipment. This system can improve the bottom line through increased labor efficiency, enhanced asset effectiveness, certification assistance with government agencies and certifying organizations, liability protection and more.

A CMMS monitors pressure, temperature, voltage and hours run and help operators communicate when maintenance should be completed. It can also track equipment history and grade performance over time. The software can reduce equipment downtime, minimize equipment and cost repairs, maximize equipment reliability and increase efficiency.

Read “Investing in a Computerized Maintenance Management System” for more information about the CMMS.

Other options for shop management software include scheduling software such as the one in described in “Profiting with Shop Management Software” and modular tool data management software  that allows users to take tool data anywhere that it is needed, from purchasing to design and engineering to CAD/CAM to the tool crib and assembly, all in one database. Read more in “Integrated Tool Management with CAD/CAM Connection.”

Get more info or check out the full article in Production Machining

 

Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – May/June 2014

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – May/June 2014 issue.

Are you dealing with minor issues that aren’t big enough to justify bringing in an outside tech, but are constantly frustrating your staff?

Do you need some additional training on a Predator product to make your staff more productive?  Are there machines that do not work and you have gone back to a manual system like floppy disks or USB sticks?  Don’t waste your time and effort, let SFA help you since we are the experts.  Call us and let us remote into your system to fix it or to schedule a “quick fix” service call when we are in your area.

New wireless and serial hardware are available including support for network based CNC machines. Contact Sales for more information.

Check out the SME Education Foundation for more information on how our partners and industry gives back each year. Over $8 million in scholarships have been awarded to students looking to get into our market.

SFA is looking for new talent as well from technicians, a customer service specialist and sales executives.  If you know someone in the San Diego, CA area, please contact us.

With Fanuc I Series controllers, you can monitor your CNC machines with ease.

Let us demonstrate how to collect real-time data such as feeds, speeds, part program, overrides, alarms, cycle time and part counts. Report and chart any data with SQL, Oracle or Access.

MT Connect is also available for Mazak, Okuma, Mori Seiki, Siemens, and others to capture similar machine data with our solutions.

RS232 Serial Cables are a thing of the past and while most shops link the CNC machines this way, you now can upgrade to go wireless.

Eliminate cables, increase baud rates up to 50%.  If you have cabling issues, bad connections, power surges, long cable runs or just want to save time and money, we have the solution for you.

Our wireless units come with a lifetime warranty, all cables and connections and work with 802.11 B/G networks with the latest security encryption.  Works with any brand of CNC controller regardless of age or connection type.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

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Using Software to Support Your Automation Agenda

MoldMaking Technology magazine

We had an extensive article posted in MoldMaking Technology magazine. Learn how to increase the productivity of your shop. Check out the article.

A shop floor focuses on several aspects of automation when working with CNC machines, and software is one tool that can help manage the automation process. When investing in software, consider the entire problem you are attempting to solve.

A key factor in your software purchase should be integration. Many software vendors provide only one piece of a software solution, which makes it difficult to integrate with other software programs being used by the shop. By being able to purchase only what you need or what you are ready to integrate from a single provider, you gain tools that work together as a seamless package.

Scheduling also plays a critical role in optimizing automation. Job scheduling software should deliver and communicate in real time the orders that need to be manufactured, as well as track labor, material, and delays. Whiteboards and spreadsheets do not provide real-time data, so look for a solution that utilizes what-if scenarios, is designed for ease of use and receives buy-in from the operators using the product. Read more below.

Read more