An old blue car, also known as a "clunker" due to its age, being serviced.Discount to Replace Old Systems

Do you have an outdated, unsupported DNC System from a software company who has been out of business or not updated their product since Window NT or 2000?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.

New technology with a good support system is how to stay ahead in this industry. Don’t let your shop floor fall behind. We can help!

For orders placed in 2011, we will provide up to 25% of credit towards the purchase of a new system from Shop Floor Automations.

Give us a call now (877) 611-5825 Toll Free!
• Upgrade from switchboxes
• Support for Windows 7, Vista, Server 2008• Wireless or Wired System
• Simple upgrade path

More about Shop Floor Automations:

Many of our clients know us as the DNC Communications and Data Collection / Machine Monitoring experts and we look forward to helping your company in these areas and with our new product solutions.

The founders of SFA have many years of experience providing effective solutions to manufacturers large and small from coast to coast. Their expertise in designing and implementing DNC and Shop Floor Networks allows them to take the best hardware and software products to the next level. That level is a fully implemented, turnkey solution tailored specifically for a customer’s requirements and environments.

Shop Floor Automations is appropriately positioned to provide our customers with a complete technology environment. Customers are not looking for products so much as they are seeking solutions to their business problems. Our total solution approach for manufacturing customers provides hardware and software packages, installation and support services, and expert consultation where required. Our principal goal is to help customers save time and make money.

CNC backplotter32-bit  G-code editor with CNC Backplotter

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.

This software includes hundreds of features to improve the day-to-day productivity of CNC machine tools, yet it 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

Additional information on our free CNC Editor download

From our CNC Editor Landing page:

SFA provides customized CNC Editor Solutions for everyone, from small job shops to the largest manufacturers. Dozens of CNC intelligent editing commands make changes to your CNC program quickly & easily. Edit confidently with the ability to undo & redo all changes. Microsoft Word-compatible menus, toolbar, & shortcut keys make these systems easy to learn.

In addition, editing multiple CNC programs at the same time is supported, with the ability to cut, copy, & paste between them. Program includes a side-by-side file compare that identifies all G-code & M-code differences, then fixes them with a single click. Our editing & backplotter packages are developed under the most rigorous testing.

These extremely versatile but easy-to-use packages are designed to simplify your work & will also improve productivity.

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archive of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – July 2011.

Your company’s business applications and network are continuously improving, however, the manufacturing network may not have seen a technology update in years. Legacy systems are still in place using switchboxes, RS232 cabling and old Windows operating systems that seem to just hang on. It might be time to consider a few new tools which includes tips and tricks when updating the shop floor.

* Ethernet Solutions *
Over the years, RS232 cabling and switchboxes or serial hubs have been the standard to link CNC machines together.  With this connection came limited length in cable runs, slow baud rates and power spikes.  Embracing the same technology as your office PC’s use, you can now run Ethernet cables to network-based machines.  But what about your older serial based machines?  Now you can breathe new life into them with our FlexN hardware.  Run Ethernet cable from a standard network switch to each machine, across longer distances using  TCP/IP error correction protocols.  Leverage the fastest baud rate at your CNC and eliminate the bottleneck!

*Network Based  CNCs *

They have finally arrived, network-based CNC machines on the shop floor.  But how are you connecting them to your company network?  Connecting CNC Machines to your network switches has many advantages such as high-speed machining, low-cost Ethernet cable, easy wiring schemes along with IPs for each machine.  Your IT Department can probably get them going quickly but have you thought about…
  • Virus software – adding this to your control is probably not an option and leaves a security breach
  • Operator training  – there are two sides to learn now, Windows and the CNC control interface
  • Procedural differences between transferring NC programs- serial based machines and network buttons are unique
  • Remote monitoring and support – who has access to your machine and corporate network
There are ways to control, manage and transfer data to your network based machines with confidence and using Predator DNC Software.   FTP and TCP/IP protocols are built into the DNC Networking application that currently manages your serial based machine and allows one product to do it all.

*Predator DNC Tip *

Most users of Predator DNC Software use the application to transfer NC programs to and from the control connected to the system with ease.  However, a recent poll showed users only use 43% of the application features and benefits.  Did you know you can…
  • Track every upload and download into a log which includes date/time, command and NC program name
  • Transfer offsets, capture probe data or machine parameters
  • Clean up legacy files in minutes by adding O’s, removing unwanted characters or making sure each begins with %
  • Create revisions of NC programs being saved automatically
  • Send messages back to operators that files are not available or secure on the DNC Server when saving out of the CNC
  • Add email notification or print from the CNC control

You can optimize your system by calling your account manager to arrange a system review and make a recommendation to utilize the full features of your investment in Predator Software.

Replace Floppy Disk Drives with our USB Floppy Emulator. Add Ethernet to Any CNC! See what customers are
saying about SFA!”Thank you for a great support team.  They were very pleasant to speak with, knowledgeable and patient.  They knew their stuff and had me up and running in 5 minutes.”Mike- Hauppauge, NY”I purchased a used Okuma lathe and proceeded to try to get it to communicate with my DNC software to no avail. After 2 years, 15 cables, 12 manuals, 100s of pages of parameter settings, and advice from every expert I could find, I stumbled across Shop Floor Automations. Between their expert advice, cabling, and Predator Software I was up and running in 20 minutes.”Charles- Bandon, OR”Shop Floor Automations has provided a fully functional, completely “wireless” solution to our CNC communication needs. They have demonstrated expertise, professionalism, and problem-solving persistence in a manner that supports my decision in choosing them. I enthusiastically recommend them.”Charles – Phoenix, AZ

Link to original newsletter HERE

The following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – May 2011.

The manufacturing industry continues to grow and the upswingShop Floor Automations Newsletter in business seems to be around the corner for our customers.  Although most of us have not fully recovered from the recession, there is hope through automation and solutions.  Shop Floor Automations is here to bring your attention to some of the new products we have found to be most productive and keep the machines running!

* Backup USB Solution *
Many of our customers have been using Predator DNC or other competitive products to communicate to CNC machines for years.  These systems are very reliable and typically are untouched until something goes wrong. Do you have a plan in place?  Check out our backup USB solution to add to your CNCs or have on the shelf for when that day comes. Works with any brand or size USB memory stick and any CNC control.

* Data Collection Made Simple*

Capturing real-time data from the shop floor does not have to be complicated.  Using your existing infrastructure and computers, our data collection can be added to your equipment with ease.  Works with any type of  CNC control including Mazak, Fanuc, Haas, Okuma, Siemens, Cincinnati and robots, press brakes, bar feeds, welders, and more.  Report, chart and display the machines current status, including cycle, idle, and down times on any PC or shop floor LCD.   Later you can expanded to, capture job numbers, part numbers, downtime reason codes, scrap reason and more with our Enterprise MDC.

*Scheduling is Quick and Easy *

Scheduling is the key to efficient operations.  With Jobpack Production Scheduling software, you can quickly identify bottlenecks and react in real-time to unexpected production problems.  You’ll know what job to run next, when to promise the customer’s order, and what machines can get it done the fastest.  You can optimize production capabilities while achieving realistic delivery dates to keep customer satisfaction humming right along.

Link to original newsletter HERE

 

jobpackJobpack Production Scheduling

Scheduling is the key to efficient operations. With Jobpack Production Scheduling software, you can quickly identify bottlenecks and react in real-time to unexpected production problems.

You’ll know what job to run next, when to promise the customer’s order, and what machines can get it done the fastest.  You can optimize production capabilities while achieving realistic delivery dates to keep customer satisfaction humming right along.

Job Scheduling Software is essential for knowing if deliveries will be on time. It takes all of your current jobs, along with capacity, & gives you the ability to see where your jobs are & when they are going to be completed. The real-time scheduling module keeps operators on the shop floor up to date with what jobs to run next. Sudden downtime on machines is accounted for & re-scheduling based on new machine capacity can happen.

With a solid scheduling system in place, you’ll be better equipped to update your customers on delivery dates and identify late deliveries before they happen so you have time to do something about it. Displays of pre-order & estimated cost calculations, as well as actual costs incurred during manufacture, are shown as they occur, as well as displaying data for groups or individual cells of machines.

Learn More

Features include:

  • Activated jobs appear on planning board instantly
  • Display machine capacity for working & non-working days
  • Color-coding status indicates factory floor workflow
  • “What if” tests overall factory & delivery dates production
  • Use stand-alone or integrate with existing ERP/MRP business systems
  • Real-time queued jobs are displayed by work center set against shift pattern

machine status viewReal-time machine data collection

Capturing real-time data from the shop floor does not have to be complicated.  Using your existing infrastructure and computers, our data collection solution Predator MDC can be added to your equipment with ease. Here is info on Data Collection for CNC Machines made simple.

Works with any type of  CNC control, including Mazak, FANUC, Haas, Okuma, Siemens, and Cincinnati. Compatibility also includes Robots, press brakes, bar feeds, welders, and more.

Report, chart and display on any workstation or LCD Monitor the current status of the machine to start.  Later, you can expand multiple plants, capture jobs, part counts, scrap reason and more with our Enterprise MDC. Learn More

More about our Machine Monitoring and Data Collection services through Predator MDC, as well as Scytec DataXchange:

Machine Monitoring gives you the ability to see what your machines are doing in real-time. Collect & process data from your machines using software like MTConnect, FANUC FOCAS, custom macros, or hardware devices. Optional data collection terminals can be used for additional operator input. Run time, downtime, & OEE data is then presented via dashboards, historical reports, & charts.  Emails or text messages can be sent to notify you of production issues on the shop floor.

Improve manufacturing by supplying accurate shop floor productivity metrics to improve operations & make better decisions. Enjoy automatic, error-free, & unattended machine monitoring for events such as job start/end, setup start/end, log on/off, cycle start/end, & more. Data collected includes cycle time, idle time, setup time, teardown time, machine downtime, & scrap reasons.

 

 

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterShop Floor Automations Newsletter – April 2011

The following is an archive copy of our Shop Floor Automations Newsletter from April 2011.

Are you an existing customer using Predator Software?  Maybe you are using an old copy the CNC Editor inside SurfCAM, GibbsCAM, SmartCAM, ProCAM, CAMWorks, or BobCAD-CAM.  Ask us about productivity improvement!

* Predator DNC*
Upload, download, drip-feed up to 100+ machines from a single server and eliminate walking to and from your CNCs.  We are offering upgrade specials to bring your legacy system up to speed with new hardware and operating systems with little downtime and effort.  Call us today to learn more and if you want to add your Ethernet-based CNCs, we support those too!
* Predator Production Data Management*
Predator PDM is a manufacturing driven software solution designed to organize and control CNC programs, setup sheets, safety procedures, quality documents and others files with revision control.  The application works in server / clients environments and supports Microsoft Access, SQL or Oracle.

* Predator Data Collection*

Machine monitoring is real-time software that automatically collects, reports, charts and processes real-time shop floor manufacturing data including cycle time, idle time, setup time, machine downtime and more.  Predator MDC improves manufacturing by supplying accurate shop floor productivity metrics to improve operations and to make better decisions.
Ready for Wireless?

Add wireless to any CNC machine with a serial port or Ethernet port to eliminate long cable runs, data lost and flexibility to move machines.  Easy to install and can be added to any wired system regardless of communication software.  Works with Predator DNC, CAD/CAM system and competitive DNC systems. Free wireless survey at your facility by our service technicians.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

Onsite Services Special

Looking to improve communication to your CNC machines? We are offering onsite services to fine-tune your existing DNC system. We constantly have special discounts for our services.

Add cabling to a new machine, troubleshoot, move the system to a more reliable PC, or provide onsite training and consulting. We will make sure everything is set up properly and that your shop floor workers are trained before we take one step out of your shop and label the job as “done.”

We also have remote assistant services available, if you don’t have the time or current resources to bring one of our friendly techs to your shop. We have many references, via our Customer Testimonials page. We also have many customer success stories you can watch on YouTube. Call us toll free at (877) 611-5825 if you are ready to go!

What some customers have to say about Shop Floor Automations:

Your team did an excellent job getting us out of a jam with recent damage to our Extreme DNC PC which got zapped by lightning. Within minutes after its arrival, only about 14 hours after my phone call to your tech named Guy, my guys had it working to load programs into our CNC machines. -Matt Slay, Jordan Machine Co.

I am very happy with the software and it is having a positive impact on our productivity. Shop Floor Automations had been somebody that we worked with really before we acquired it 13 years ago. We had Predator and some of the software you supplied. Recently, we added the Scytec DataXchange stuff a few years ago, and you guys are just good problem solvers for us! There was minimal startup cost and it requires little software management on the user end. Significant increases in machine utilization, better information flow between engineering guys and programming guys, quality guys, shop floor guys, and us as owners! Knowing what’s happening on the shop floor. I would recommend you, and I have – we’re big proponents of the software and you have been a really good resource for us. We’re happy to use cloud-based solutions like Scytec DataXchange! -Jerry Halley, Tech Manufacturing LLC

Our Predator DNC system is running so well, that after over 2 years, I have moved the keyboard and monitor off my desk and into a corner. It requires no maintenance and provides us with a trouble-free system. – Mark Chambers, Tech Manufacturing

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterShop Floor Automations March 2011 Newsletter

The following is an archive of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter from March 2011.

Our focus is building lasting partnerships with customers and striving to understand what customers manufacture, what production tools and methods they currently utilize, and in what ways we can help improve their manufacturing processes.  Are you ready for us to help you with our shop floor solutions?

* Onsite Service Special *
Looking to improve communication to your CNC machines? We are offering onsite services to fine tune your existing DNC system up to 50% off our normal rates.  Add cabling to a new machine, troubleshoot, move the system to a more reliable PC, or provide onsite training and consulting. Visit our website and complete the online form or call us for details.

* Add Ethernet to your CNC*

The LANCNC controller brings Ethernet functionality to any CNC machine tool with serial capability. Program files can be sent to/from the LANCNC data server and any CNC. Large files that will not fit in the memory of the CNC can be drip fed (DNC) directly from the data server.
Control and manage which files are available to operators on the shop floor from CNC programming stations or Engineering department. Works with Microsoft’s  Windows Explorer. Setup with ease and connect to virtually any CNC control on the market.
*Got PC Based Controls?*

PC based controls have become the standard for new CNC machines and for good reason.  For the first time, PC based controls allow CNCs to be truly integrated into a manufacturer’s overall enterprise in the same way that other PCs already are. The advantages of integrating CNC controls into an enterprise network are many, but so are the possible issues.

Link to original newsletter HERE

A CNC machine and USB Connect Pendant Display with an ethernet symbol overlaid on top. Ethernet functionality to any CNC machine

The LAN Connect Controller adds Ethernet functionality to any CNC machine tool with serial capability. Send programs files from a LAN server to CNCs through the regular and Remote models. 

Drip-feed (DNC) large files from the data server that do not fit in the memory of the CNC. Control and manage which files are available to operators on the shop floor from CNC programming stations or Engineering department.

Works with Microsoft’s Windows Explorer. Because setup is easy, connect to virtually any CNC control on the market. This device will help you add Ethernet to your CNC.

Call us toll free at (877) 611-5825 to learn more. More info on our Ethernet Connect solutions:

Your CNC machines have RS232 ports & SFA can connect them to your network. With our Wired CNC Connect, Wireless CNC Connect & LAN Connect, you have many options available. Leverage your current IT infrastructure on the shop floor & replace the long RS232 runs of older style hubs. Take advantage of your company’s wireless network & get rid of cables all together!

The benefit to using Ethernet is that it allows multiple PCs to be able to access machines on the shop floor. Ethernet can go longer distances, which keeps the RS232 connection short, & that means more reliable DNC communication. Wireless CNC Connect devices stay mounted to the machine – confirm you have a dependable wireless signal, move your CNC machine, & it is always connected to the DNC system.

Corporate networks expand beyond front offices & engineering departments on a daily basis. Network backbones are found on 80 percent of manufacturing shop floors.

If you are looking for a wired Ethernet Connect solution, we have this option available in 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 surge protected ports. We also have Wireless Connect solutions, if you are interested in getting rid of wires.