Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – May/June 2013

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter from May/June 2013.

Where do you stand with your competition?  Are you behind on the “automation” curve?

Shop Floor Automations has the solutions and expertise to put your company ahead of your competition. Over the years you have invested in infrastructure, tooling, machinery and people but what about the technology and software?

Are you being pro-active on maintenance of your machines?  Does your documentation reflect the latest version of the part being produced? Are you still using a white board or Excel to schedule jobs?  How are you tracking downtime?  Are you still using floppy disks, PCMCIA or USB sticks to manage your programs?

Swap Your CNC Communication System

Are you currently using serial hubs and RS232 cabling to your machine tools?

Is your DNC System outdated, problematic and/or no longer supported?

We offer two very competitive products to meet your requirements which are completely supported by the industry standards and are forward compatible in Windows 2008R2 Server and Windows 7 32/64 bit systems.

Now you can swap out your communication system with a new wireless solution.   More CNC machines are now network based and require connection to your company LAN.   Why not add our latest wireless CNC adapter to your new machine instead of running an Ethernet or serial cables across the shop floor?

If you still have serial ports on your controls, simply connect to the RS232 port on the device.   Swap your cabled system for wireless! Upgrade your DNC System by calling us and receive up to 25% off the list price for competitive upgrades.

$45 Per Month to Monitor Your CNC

You are constantly getting updates from your family and friends via email, texting, Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – but what about updates about your shop floor?

How often have we learned we missed the due date on the job because the machine was down for maintenance, the first article sign-off was delayed and the machine was in “setup”, or the operator indicated there was problems with tooling or the part program.

The answer is Machine Monitoring and Data Collection starting at $45 per CNC each month.  Stay connected to the shop floor by viewing real time data across the web, on your cell phone or on your tablet.

Celebrating 15 Years

Shop Floor Automations is celebrating our 15th year in business providing the best in software, hardware and integration services.

We are the premier service and support center for customers throughout USA for a variety of Software and Harware brands. This includes being the #1 distributor for Predator Software and recognized as “Dealer of the Year” for 10 years running,

Let us analyze your shop and provide you with the best solutions to suit your needs!

* DNC Networking
* Machine Monitoring
* Job Scheduling / Capacity Planning
* Document Control / Paperless
* CNC Editing / File Compare
* USB Solutions / Mobile / PDAs
* Wireless /  Wired Serial Hubs

Link to original newsletter HERE 

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Predator MDC Video – How to get started

Predator MDC Video

Predator MDC creates a continuously up to date knowledge base of your manufacturing performance. It quantifies how well your machines, people and parts are produced. Predator MDC can establish and compare continuous improvement results for lean manufacturing efforts. Predator MDC organizes your real-time data into actionable metrics for availability, quality and performance. Metrics for specific machines or rolled up metrics for an entire department across multiple plants are available with a few mouse clicks. Refer to the following major features

Predator MDC supports automatic, error-free, and unattended machine monitoring for events such as job start and end, setup start and end, cycle start and end, to name a few of the events that can be monitored. This type of data is collected automatically using software, hardware, custom macros and other methods without requiring operator training or input.

Predator MDCPredator MDC also supports manual monitoring of events that are initiated by machine operators such as machine login/offs, downtimes, and scrap reasons. Predator MDC can be used to manually collect data using several methods including Remote Request, swiping bar codes, touch screen PCs or standard PCs.

Predator MDC supports up to 4096 CNC machines, robots, PLCs, ATE Test Stands, band saws, dot peen markers and other equipment per PC for simultaneous cycle time, setup time, teardown time, downtimes with reasons, good parts, scrap parts with reasons and an unlimited number of user defined events.

Keep score of your shop floor productivity with Predator MDC. Every second is tracked per machine, job, part, operation, shift and person. Real-time dashboards displays current machine, part, job, operation and personnel status. Multiple engineers, supervisors and managers can view the dashboard from any networked PC. Leverage the power of the Internet and VPN from anywhere in the world to see the status of your shop floor.

Dedicate one or more large screen monitors on the shop floor for real-time digital signage. Create slides of charts, dashboards and reports with specific filters and details. Eliminate manual posting of paper reports and charts. Provide a focal point for standup shop meetings while enforcing productivity and manufacturing metrics that management, engineering and quality departments care about.

Want more information? Call (877) 611-5825 and ask us how we can help you increase OEE on your shop floor!

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Manufacturing News April 2013

Floppy Drive Emulators and Serial Port Accessories

A Shop Floor Automations ad about services for Floppy Drive Emulators and Serial Port Accessories. See our Ads here Southwest Manufacturing News and here Midwest Manufacturing News

More about our Hardware Solutions:

Do you have a small shop? A large shop? Regardless of your number of machines, or types of controls, SFA has you covered with a complete hardware connectivity suite. Don’t shop around & waste time trying to find the lowest prices – using our 18 years of experience & full support (onsite & digital) will pay for itself with working solutions.

We make our own cables & regularly test hundreds of models of controls with our equipment to confirm what works with wired, wireless, USB, & floppy disk drives for CNCs to eliminate downtime.

Introducing, our Connect Series!

Ethernet Connect – Link via Ethernet to your CNCs, wired & wirelessly
Wireless Connect – Go Wireless to any CNC, use Wireless Access Points, & additional wireless solutions
Serial Connect – USB to Serial, RS232 Serial Cables, RS232 Adapters, Testers, Fanuc cables, & more
USB Connect – Add USB to any CNC, plus Mazak or Switchbox USB solutions
Floppy Connect –  Off-the-shelf Floppy Emulators will replace floppy disks with USB media
Multi Connect – One device to do it all for DNC & Machine Monitoring
Tape Reader Connect – Behind the Tape Reader (BTR) users will want these solutions
Accessories – Antennas, Bar Code Readers, & exclusive SFA gear, like our G-code Shirt

Follow the various social media channels of Shop Floor Automations via the resource page here.

Call & speak to our team at Toll Free (877) 611-5825. We aim to understand your needs & deliver the best solutions for them. Let us tell you about the thousands of customers we have served – you have no obligation to make a purchase!

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Modern Machine Shop March 2013

Shop Floor Automations in Modern Machine Shop

See our latest Shop Floor Automations ad on eXtremeDNC in Modern Machine Shop featuring our own Tech, Joshua.

More info on SFA’s DNC Communication options:

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.

Predator DNC Software

  •  Network all CNCs, EDMs, PLCs, & Robots with singular DNC package
  • Eliminates walking time to & from CNC control & PC
  • Major CNC protocols, including Mazatrol (CMT), Okuma B & Xmodem, supported
  • Send, receive or drip-feed to up to 4,096 devices
  • Highly flexible interface options include wireless, wired, Ethernet, & USB

Ascendant eXtremeDNC Software

  • Simultaneously push/pull files to CNCs from PC/Remotely
  • Reliable RS232 communication via Wireless & Wired
  • Support for all major CNC protocols including Mazatrol, OkumaB, & more
  • Self-Install & SFA install (Remote or Onsite) available
  • Support for Windows XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003/2008R2 – 32bit & 64 bit systems
  • Originally written for Windows NT 3.5 (“C” Language) for future compatibility

Call (877) 611-5825 for more info!

SFA official membership with AMT

AMTAssociation For Manufacturing Technology

Shop Floor Automations is pleased to announce our official membership with AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. We at SFA continue to provide new technology, services and resources to promote a strong manufacturing industry.

We love to see the MFG industry grow daily. That is why we provide many free services via our site.

We have a blog full of topical posts on manufacturing and related issues affecting our industry. We archive our newsletters. We even offer Webinars and Training Videos. We are also part of the San Diego Chapter of NTMA (the National Tooling and Machining Association).

SFA is focused on providing solutions that can be met by our knowledge, support and sales experience of the manufacturing industry.  We offer maintenance management software, job management and scheduling software, as well as DNC Communications, Data Collection / Machine Monitoring, and hardware solutions.

You can follow us on our social media channels (listed here) and call (877) 611-5825 for more information. For more on AMT, visit them online at http://www.amtonline.org/

Feb-Mar 2013 CNC West

CNC West Magazine

Be sure to pick up the Feb-Mar 2013 copy of CNC West Magazine and see our latest ad on adding wireless, ethernet or USB to any CNC.

More about our Hardware services:

Do you have a small shop? A large shop? Regardless of your number of machines, or types of controls, SFA has you covered with a complete hardware connectivity suite. Don’t shop around & waste time trying to find the lowest prices – using our 18 years of experience & full support (onsite & digital) will pay for itself with working solutions.

We make our own cables & regularly test hundreds of models of controls with our equipment to confirm what works with wired, wireless, USB, & floppy disk drives for CNCs to eliminate downtime. Call (877) 611-5825 for any of the services listed below, as well as software needs.

  • Ethernet Connect – Link via Ethernet to your CNCs, wired & wirelessly
  • Wireless Connect – Go Wireless to any CNC, use Wireless Access Points, & additional wireless solutions
  • Serial Connect – USB to Serial, RS232 Serial Cables, RS232 Adapters, Testers, Fanuc cables, & more
  • USB Connect – Add USB to any CNC, plus Mazak or Switchbox USB solutions
  • Floppy Connect –  Off-the-shelf Floppy Emulators will replace floppy disks with USB media
  • Tape Reader Connect – Behind the Tape Reader (BTR) users will want these solutions
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Predator PDM v10.0.191 is released

pdmPredator PDM Enterprise has enhanced the shop floor dialogs with New Machine Events and Tracker style Check-In and Check-Out dialogs. In addition, the following improvements have been made:

January 17th 2013 – Predator PDM v10.0.191 is released

  • Added -UNRELEASED to change manufacturing and quality status workflow
  • Improved online help
  • Improved -viewvaultitem command line to support wildcards
  • Improved -viewvaultitemdialog command line to support wildcards
  • Improved machine wizards
  • Improved the Oracle database login screen
  • Improved displaying the database name and host within the status bar
  • Improved check-out warning message
  • Improved display of LF only style CNC files within the shop floor windows
  • Fixed a bug with editing a list item
Customers on software maintenance can download v10.0.191 of Predator PDM from our downloads at any time. Customers running v9 or older of Predator PDM should contact Shop Floor Automations for upgrade details and pricing. Read more below.

Read more

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Manufacturing News – February 2013

Manufacturing News – February 2013

See our latest hardware ad in February issue of Manufacturing News (AKA MFG News) – one ad is Here (Midwest Manufacturing News)and the other is Here (Southwest Manufacturing News).
More about the hardware solutions we are advertising:

Do you have a small shop? A large shop? Regardless of your number of machines, or types of controls, SFA has you covered with a complete hardware connectivity suite. Don’t shop around & waste time trying to find the lowest prices – using our 18 years of experience & full support (onsite & digital) will pay for itself with working solutions.

We make our own cables & regularly test hundreds of models of controls with our equipment to confirm what works with wired, wireless, USB, & floppy disk drives for CNCs to eliminate downtime.

Ethernet Connect – Link via Ethernet to your CNCs, wired & wirelessly
Wireless Connect – Go Wireless to any CNC, use Wireless Access Points, & additional wireless solutions
Serial Connect – USB to Serial, RS232 Serial Cables, RS232 Adapters, Testers, Fanuc cables, & more
USB Connect – Add USB to any CNC, plus Mazak or Switchbox USB solutions
Floppy Connect –  Off-the-shelf Floppy Emulators will replace floppy disks with USB media
Tape Reader Connect – Behind the Tape Reader (BTR) users will want these solutions

Call (877) 611-5825 for more information and insight on how to improve OEE on your shop floor! We are also on social media – tweet us, like us, follow us, and check out our photos!

Scytec DataXchange IconScytec
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Scytec DataXchange Silver Released

DataXchangeScytec DataXchange Silver Released

Collect user defined Planned and Unplanned Downtimes with bar code scanners. More Details

More about machine monitoring through Scytec:

  • Choose from On-Premise or Cloud Based
  • As low as $45 monthly per machine for Cloud option
  • Real-time data collection from any age CNC controls & equipment
  • Unlimited reporting, charting licenses & users
  • View & report on data results from anywhere
  • Track multiple cycle time types

OEE and IIoT reports and charts from Scytec DataXchange help improve machine utilization and minimize downtime.  “Collecting data from the machines is one thing, but utilizing the data for actionable results is critical in order to convert manufacturing data into manufacturing intelligence,” Scytec proclaims to customers.

Timelines, equipment status summaries, OEE summaries, trends, downtime Pareto, scrap Pareto, histograms, plots, comparisons, and more can be charted. These charts can be displayed in the real-time dashboard of the program, which includes being able to saving group or personalized chart templates and ability to export this data to CSV or Excel.

“DataXchange is a Cloud and On-Premise manufacturing machine monitoring system,” Scytec says of their services. With over 15 years of experience in manufacturing, they were able to create this program from scratch. “Increasing utilization by roughly 30 minutes per machine will cover the cost of the software. How about the gains of knowing when machines are running at a lower feedrate, a program stop, or sitting in feed hold?  The software typically pays for itself within the first few days of each month.”

Call (877) 611-5825 for more information!

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SFA Offers Predator Basic Machine Monitoring Software

Predator SoftwarePredator Software Machine Monitoring

Shop Floor Automations (SFA), a distributor and service center for Predator Software Inc., has announced the Basic version of Predator’s Manufacturing Data Collection (MDC) Software.

“For many years now, Predator has offered their fully automated, real time MDC system for larger corporations,” said a company spokesperson. “Now they have released the Basic version of the same software targeted toward the small to medium size manufactures looking to capture utilization, with alarm status and part counts.”

MDC Basic is designed to be an affordable way to collect real-time and historical data from the shop floor. It allows for no operator input at the CNC to capture running or idle status along with alarm mode. The customer can also record good and scrapped part counts directly from the CNC interface.

All the collected data is recorded into one of three database platforms: Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQLo r Oracle. Decision makers will have various reports and charts at their fingertips regarding production history, said SFA. Read more below.

Read more