RS232 to Ethernet for Any CNC Machine

Do you need an RS232 to Ethernet interface? Any CNC controls with RS232 ports can easily be upgraded to the LAN Connect device. Machine tool files can be sent from CNC memory to the device.

Achieve USB stick to CNC memory actions, or drip-feeding (DNC) from the USB. Flexible CNC communication firmware is built into the unit so you can connect to just about any machine tool control.

The device contains all the necessary hardware to integrate a universal display onto a CNC machine tool pendant. The controller is DIN rail mountable inside the pendant or can be reverse-mounted on the display.

A small capacity USB drive is included from Shop Floor Automations. You can upgrade to any size or brand desired to support larger NC programs or storage capacity.

The LAN Connect eliminates having to use DNC software. It also removes the struggles of RS232 cabling.

The device is assigned an IP address and connects to any standard Ethernet cable from the corporate network. Load files from the USB at the machine via a Microsoft Windows Operating System or FTP software.

You can select the file to transfer to the machine using the LCD display. Run at a maximum baud rate by connecting the device to the CNC controller. This also prevents the operator from having to run back and forth from PC to machine to begin machine operation.

The benefits of this device has been said to reduce the cost of adding DNC Software required to communicate to machines. Ease of implementation and connection to the machine can be accomplished with IT Departments whom normally resist interfacing with CNC machines using serial cabling.

The cost to add Ethernet functionality to any machine from the machine tool builder can be very expensive. This third party upgrade is a minimal cost in comparison.

The LAN Connect device works with any CNC control on the market with a serial port. Some compatible brands are Haas, Fadal, Mazak, Hurco, Yasnac, Cincinnati, Bridgeport, Mitsubishi, Mori Seiki, Siemens, Okuma, and more.

For more information, contact our sales department by calling (877) 611-5825 

Floppy Emulator YouTube

USB Emulator Replaces Floppy Disk Drive

Update, as of 2016 – the FD Connect is now known as the Floppy Emulator from the Floppy Connect line.

Shop Floor Automations has introduced its new FD Connect solution, which will eliminate floppy disk media and drives on the manufacturing floor.

Floppy disks are easily damaged in the shop environment due to dirt, oil and grime and are becoming impossible to replace. The FD Connect solution eliminates the need for floppy disks making it an ideal program and data storage solution for industrial equipment and machine tools.

The device is a simple plug in a thumb drive that allows easy transfer of files to the Floppy Connect. Users simply remove the existing drive and the FD Connect plugs directly into the ribbon and power cables of the old drive. It is compatibility with 720K or 1.44MB systems.

For more information, contact our sales department at (877) 611-5825. Read more below.

Read more

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – May 2012.

Machine Monitoring for as low as $45 Per Month!

Scytec’s Hosted DataXchange is the most cost efficient and simple method of Machine Monitoring available. It can scale for those with limited budgets up to sophisticated 200+ machine shops with assembly lines and robotics.  DataXchange allows customers to collect machine data remotely and store in a secure offsite location. It is available starting at $45 per machine per month and includes volume discounts.

You may have seen our advertisements in the press and on the web! Act now while our setup fee is discounted through May 31st.  Schedule an online web demo or onsite visit by contacting our sales department.

Tech Tip
#4 of 4 Mistakes Manufacturers make:

Working extra hours of overtime to create a cushion that can be called upon for hot jobs

Overtime labor is expensive. Not every employee wants to work overtime, either. If you know that a large order is imminent and you want to clear your schedule to accommodate the order, then perhaps working overtime makes sense. But, what if the order does not arrive when it is expected? What if the order requires manufacturing resources you didn’t plan to deploy?
The JobPack Master Scheduler is a real‐time finite capacity scheduling tool that loads production jobs to maximize the use of machines and other resources and immediately identifies what resources will be overloaded. This allows you to adjust the production schedule to reduce the overloads and meet your customer delivery promises. Add overtime if you need it. Move jobs to other machines or work centers. Schedule jobs into the future as far as your lead times require.

Link to original newsletter here.

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – April 2012 issue.

Congratulations to our contest winners!!!

Our “Success Stories” contest winner is Nathan Pierce from Lesco Automotive Industries in San Luis Obispo, CA. He won a $250 gift certificate to Amazon.com for submitting the best success story.

Hosted Machine Monitoring is now available!

Josh Davids from Scytec Corporation unveiled his company’s latest product – Hosted DataXchange. It allows customers to collect machine data and store it in a secure offsite location. Hosted DataXchange is available starting at $45 per machine per month without any long term commitment.  Volume discounts are also available starting at just 6 pieces of equipment. Collect multiple types of real time cycle status and have access to reporting and charting from anywhere with internet access.  Hosted DataXchange is easily integrated with network based machines using Fanuc Focas or MTConnect on Mazak, Okuma, and many others.

For Shop Floor Automations customers, until the end of May, we can offer 50% off the already low setup fee of $1,000. Call to set up a personal online presentation today!

Tech Tip

#3 of 4 Big Manufacturer Mistakes:

Padding a job with extra hours OR giving the customer a padded delivery promise

When you have no faith in the accuracy of your production schedules, the way to cushion the schedule is to deceive yourself by padding the time standards or padding the delivery promise dates. Rather than “just‐in‐time”, you now have “just‐in‐case” production management. Anytime you put incorrect information into the system, you make all of your answers incorrect. The problem becomes larger because the inflation of rates and dates grows as employees become less confident about the information they receive.

With JobPack Master Scheduler, the real‐time, finite capacity scheduling system, the accurate time standards and accurate machine/resource capacities deliver a reliable, achievable production schedule with dependable customer delivery dates. As production jobs are completed and reported on, you capture the actual performance results, so you can use the actual performance to fine‐tune the time standards for future production jobs. Gradually, employees and customers believe the accuracy of the production schedule. This reduces the amount of work‐in‐process inventory, minimizes expediting costs, and improves overall customer satisfaction.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

pdm

Predator PDM Version 10 Release

La Mesa, CA – April 4, 2012 –Shop Floor Automations (SFA) has announced the release of the newest version of its shop floor PDM solution, Predator PDM version 10.
Version 10 of Predator PDM offers the most extensive expansion of features of any version yet, according to the company. Features include: direct integration with Predator DNC systems, including systems utilizing Remote Request; improved integration with Predator MDC (Manufacturing Data Collection) systems; expanded workflow, approval control and history options; new and improved bar code and RFID integration options and unlimited flexibility in definition and naming of PDM vault elements.
“All previous PDM systems have been designed and built with CAD & CAM files and design departments in mind and as such, have rarely been a good fit for controlling access to files on the shop floor,” said a company spokesperson. “Predator PDM is designed to be much more flexible than traditional PDM systems while still retaining the ability to provide absolute control over what files are being used on the floor and capturing a history of those files’ use as well.
“Our basic PDM systems can be utilized to simply control and track access to NC files, but they can easily be expanded to include almost any type of file used on the shop floor, including drawings, tool lists, setup sheets, videos, manuals, etc. While designed to be as simple as possible to implement and use, Predator PDM still has the power to be the single solution for file access control, file viewing, file use history, quality and manufacturing status history, initiation of DNC file transfers (when combined with our DNC software solution) and updating of machine status (both to our data collection solutions, as well as existing data collection systems).”

For more information: fill out a contact form here 

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

 

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – February 2012.

Bloomberg: “Manufacturing in the U.S. grew in January at the fastest pace in seven months, adding to signs of a global pickup from Germany to China.” – We hope it is for you too!

Maintenance for your Equipment and Machines

What method do you use to remind yourself to change the oil in your car? Is it sticky notes, when the red light goes on or when it all breaks down in the middle of your road trip?

Bigfoot CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Software) can help you with everything from CNCs, forklifts, manual equipment, HVAC, managing your routine maintenance, tracking your repairs, parts, procedures for services and reporting history and cost.

It is simple to use over the web or on your smartphone and is billed per user with no long term commitments.

Contest for Success Stories 

We would like to hear from you! So we decided to run a contest. The best SFA success stories will win! Contact us to ask how.

Did you know…?
A spreadsheet of production orders is like a newspaper. By the time you get it, the information is out‐of‐date. Spreadsheets are a great way to maintain lists of information, but a spreadsheet can’t react to changes to the production schedule that occur every day when new orders arrive, orders are canceled, or when customer‐requested delivery dates and quantities change. With the frequent changes that occur in manufacturing businesses today, a spreadsheet can’t respond quickly enough.
How much manual effort is used to maintain the spreadsheet? JobPack Master Scheduler, a real‐time scheduling system, integrated to your ERP system, can receive order information effortlessly, and immediately identify resource constraints caused by overloaded resources.
The ability to simulate multiple scenarios to resolve the constraints is impossible for a spreadsheet.

Link to official newsletter HERE 

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of our Shop Floor Automations Newsletter from January 2012.

Happy New Year! We hope you are looking forward to 2012.

Floppy Disk Emulator

Are your machines still using floppy disks? If you’d like them to enter the 21st century, we have Floppy Disk Emulators that work with virtually any CNC machine and eliminate the 3.5″ media on the shop floor that is plagued by dust, oil and chemicals.

You are still limited to 1.44MB or 720KB for your files, but it will be much easier to transfer the NC programs on USB memory sticks with reliability.  Easy to install, low cost and operation remains the same on the control.

Success Story
A year ago, one of our machine tool partners was trying to find a reliable solution for a customer who had several Haas CNC machines. They used 3.5” floppy disks to load NC programs on the machines.  The media became difficult to find and costly to maintain the floppy drives.

In July, they contacted SFA to see if we could help them.  After our assessment, we recommended they use our Floppy Disk Emulator.  The drive replaced the existing 3.5” disk drive and allowed the user to load NC programs from a USB memory stick with ease.  The unit was installed by the end user and operation on the machine was the same. Within months, they ordered additional units for other controls used in the manufacturing plant and increased production by using a better method to transfer NC programs into the control.

The differences between a Serial and Ethernet cable? Each one has its own ideal use.
  • Serial is best for connecting your serial based CNC controls using DB25 or DB9 ports.
  • Serial cable’s capability is limited in length and has connectors such as DB9, DB25, RJ45.
  • Serial cables should use a drain wire for earth ground to prevent damage to the CNC control board.
  • Ethernet is best for new machines that have a CAT 5 connection on them provided by the machine tool builder.
  • Ethernet cables are recommended for long distances and available in category 5 and 6 and are typically used to connect network based equipment such as PCs, printers, routers and Windows based CNCs.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

The following is an archived copy of our Shop Floor Automations Newsletter from December of 2011.

We hope 2011 has been a good year for you and that 2012 will be even better. We are planning to launch a few new products next year and are encouraged with news about machine tool sales and continued growth in our market. Please let us know of anything we can help with to wrap up this year or kick off the New Year.

In Memory Of: Shawn Dunne
1968 – 2011
Vice President
Shop Floor Automations 

On October 27th, we lost our dear friend and Co-Founder, Shawn Dunne to cancer.

Shawn spent the last 13 years helping to build a remarkable company

and culture that was focused on providing the best solutions to our customers.

He cherished his relationships with all of his customers and enjoyed

learning about the wide variety of industries we serve. He will be missed by all of us.

You can read his obituary here  – http://www.legacyfuneralcare.com/shawn-dunne-obituary.html

Shop Floor Scheduler

What jobs do you have planned next year? Next month? Next week?

Are you using a whiteboard or Excel spreadsheet to figure this all out?

Get an instantaneous view of all of your jobs, equipment, capacity, bottlenecks, etc.

with a simple click. Our Scheduling Solution JobPack can help you with all these needs and more.

Partner Rewards Program 

Could you use an extra $500? That’s what one of our Partners received last month

(actually $560) for simply introducing one of his customers to us

and taking a little time to explain things to both parties.

Now our Partner is happy, as well as our mutual customer!

Email Greg (gregm@shopfloorautomations.com) to add your name

to our Quarterly newsletter and get rewarded! Earn up to 10% of a transaction.

If you get your referral in to us by the end of the year,

we will add 25% to your reward when it closes.

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterTechnical Tip: 

Are you about to change your shop floor PC?

Be sure not to throw out your security key / dongle.

It contains valuable information and losing it may disrupt your operation

and cost you in the long run. Keep in mind, we now use USB SIMs and we are able

to replace your old parallel key for a small fee.

Our year end specials are coming to an end soon. 

Planning on upgrading your PC, adding machines or moving the shop in 2012?

If you place an order for a service call before Dec 22nd

and pay in advance, you can receive up to 20% off.

Use of the service call must be made within 6 months.

Call (619) 461-4000 to place your order now.

Enjoy the Holidays with your family and friends while having a safe New Year!

http://twitter.com/SFA_INC

California Office Tel: (619) 461-4000
Toll Free: (877) 611-5825

Original link to newsletter

Rest in Peace, Shawn Dunne

On October 27th, 2011, we lost our dear friend and Co-Founder, Shawn Dunne to cancer. Shawn spent the last 13 years helping to build a remarkable company here at Shop Floor Automations and a business culture that was focused on providing the best solutions to our customers.

He cherished his relationships with all of his customers and enjoyed learning about the wide variety of industries we serve. He will be missed by all of us.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Belinda Dunne, sons Adrian Mendoza, Joshua Reynolds, James Dunne, Jacob Dunne, and Shawn J. Dunne, daughters Aubrianna Morris and Bella Dunne, granddaughters Kylee Reynolds and Eliana Morris, parents Gabriel Rivera III and Sandie Rivera, brothers Bill Dunne, Mike Doyle, Thom Dunne and Gabriel Rivera IV, sisters Sue Doyle, Chris Doyle and Kathleen Gettinger, grandmother Katy Zolman, and extended family and friends.

Shawn lived his entire life in El Cajon where he graduated from Grossmont High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in European History at the University of California at San Diego.

Shawn spent most of his life in youth ministry leadership and was an ordained pastor. He had a passion to reach junior high and high school students because he knew what a critical time that is in a young person’s life. He developed strong relationships and influenced many with his genuine love for people and the Word of God.

Shawn always had an open door policy at his home – everyone was welcome to hang out. His best times were spent serving others – whether it be taking close friends on trips across the country, hosting barbeques or one of his famous game nights at his home, officiating a friend’s wedding, playing DJ for special events, or spending hours working on church camp videos.

Shawn excelled at remembering the little things that most people forget. When someone casually mentioned that they liked something, Shawn would remember that and make sure they received it as his gift for their next birthday or Christmas. Shawn was a dedicated and active member of Foothill Christian Church in El Cajon.

He was a brilliant businessman and business owner. One of his highest priorities was to treat his employees as friends. He felt a deep responsibility to be a good steward of his business and the people who worked with him.

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – October 2011.

As the end of the year approaches, we would like to share our excitement for 2012. Shop Floor Automations has added new solutions to our product line to improve automation and productivity on your shop floor.

* CNC Editors *
Tired of manually editing G-code on your CNC? The Predator CNC Editor is the most popular 32-bit CNC code editor on the market. It includes hundreds of features to improve the day to day productivity of CNC machine tools, yet is extremely easy to use. Four editions are available including a free version.  Features include:
  • CNC Editing
  • Unlimited File Size
  • File Compare
  • CNC Communications with drip-feed
  • Backplotting

* Network Serial Hardware *

Designed for manufacturers with multiple buildings and existing Ethernet infrastructure. The hardware eliminates PCI cards plugged into computers and directly links to the network backbone. You can network up to 256 machines to your Windows-based PC. The hardware supports transfers of your CNC programs, offsets and parameters.
This solution supports a wide range of CNC protocols for drip-feeding, downloading, and uploading via RS232. Models are available in a 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 port configuration and include a 5-year warranty from Shop Floor Automations.
* CASH For Clunkers *
Do you have an outdated, unsupported DNC System from a software company who has been out of business or not updated their product since Window NT or 2000? Now is the time to consider a software upgrade with our trade-up program.  For orders placed in 2011, we will provide up to 25% of credit towards the purchase of a new system from Shop Floor Automations. Call us now at (877) 611-5825 Toll Free!
  • Support for Windows 7, Vista,
    Server 2008
  • Wireless or Wired System
  • Upgrade from switchboxes
  • Simple upgrade path
For all existing customers, please remember to backup your systems.

Consider a spare hub, PC or even our backup portable USB device in case something goes wrong. Downtime is costly and a small investment now can save thousands later.

Tell your colleagues about Shop Floor Automations and receive up to a 5% or 10% referral reward when they become a customer. Fill out our contact form with the company information and details or contact your Account Executive.

Link to original newsletter HERE