January/February 2015 Shop Floor Automations Newsletter

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of our January/February 2015 Shop Floor Automations Newsletter.

U.S. MANUFACTURING OUTLOOK FOR 2015 LOOKS PROMISING

The U.S. manufacturing outlook looks promising for 2015 according to MAPI Foundation. “Manufacturing is expected to grow faster than the overall economy and aerospace production is starting to ramp up again. The forecast is predicted as 4.0% for manufacturing, 8.5% for computer and electronic products, and 3.8% for non-hi-tech manufacturing.”

Since 1998, we’ve partnered with manufacturers and have now over 3,000 customers. SFA was recognized as Predator Software’s number #1 dealer for 2014. We are proud to receive this award for multiple years in a row. We stand by Predator Software, a U.S. made product.

NEW REGIONAL SUPPORT OFFICE IN TEXAS

We listened to your requests and we are expanding!  We now have a new regional office in Houston to better serve our customers.

This presence in the Bayou City will enable us to provide more training, lower implementation costs and provide faster response times to nearby customers’ service requests.

If you would like to meet with us for a free 1 hour consultation, contact us here

THE RS232 CABLE PROBLEM RESOLVED

Are you looking to connect your CNC but frustrated with pinouts and soldiering of RS232 cables?

We carry a variety of lengths, pre-made, terminated and ready to be shipped for any machine control.  We have over 80 different configurations of pinouts to interface with any type of connect.

All cables are manufactured in the U.S. and include a 5-year warranty.  You can order online or call us anytime.

ORIGINAL NEWSLETTER LINK HERE

Call (877) 611-5825 for more information on how we can help increase OEE and productivity.

Our customers are at the heart of our business, and Gaby Ray in customer service is passionate about her role in making sure they are happy.  If you’re already a customer, you may have spoken with her. Whether it is following up after a purchase or just seeing if there are any concerns, Gaby is here to help. We have a 99.5% satisfied customer rating based on our surveys and feedback.

Gaby will be contacting you periodically to stay in touch, address your concerns or handle licensing needs.  If you have any questions, please contact her directly at ext. 1008.

Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – NOV/DEC 2014

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of our Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – November/December 2014 Issue

MACHINE MONITORING WEBINAR

Do you know what your machines are doing, right now?

Consider what your shop rate is along with the cost of lost productivity time. Now, by knowing exactly what your machines are doing at all times, and by receiving proactive notifications, could you increase uptime by 30 minutes a month per machine?  How about the gains of knowing when machines are running at a lower feedrate, or sitting in feedhold? The software typically pays for itself within the first few days of each month.

JOB SCHEDULING WEBINAR

Improve your view of scheduling, job tracking, and machine capacity with JobPack On Time Graphical Scheduler.

Integrate with any ERP system or eliminate the white board and Microsoft Spreadsheet.  You make the part, we will plan and schedule the job on time, increase your throughput, reduce your overtime and drive your costs down.

JOIN THE NTMA (NATIONAL TOOLING AND MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION)

Looking to connect with others and join a group that promotes our industry?

An NTMA membership immediately connects you with peers at the local, regional and national levels – opening up conversations that can lead to new opportunities while helping you discover industry trends and better ways to operate.

NTMA is organized into nearly 50 local chapters throughout the country.

We are part of the San Diego Chapter monthly meeting.

HERE IS A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOUR STAFF

For all you CNC programmers and machine tool operators, we have the perfect Holiday gift. If your’re the boss, have your team look cool in a stylish black SFA t-shirt.

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We have sizes M through 3XL. You can order on our website.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

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

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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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 

Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – March/April 2014

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter – March/April 2014

TRADE IN YOUR DNC SYSTEM FOR 25% OFF THE LIST PRICE

With the ending of support for Windows XP and the shrinking number of vendors that can provide you with the very best DNC system, SFA can provide you a competitive upgrade and save you 25% off the list price—leveraging the same procedures and giving you more value.

Programs are in place to migrate from Surban DNC, Refresh Your Memory, Cimnet, Greco Systems and other companies that no longer support existing systems. Contact Sales for more information.

YouTube & Hardware 

Check out our video series, “Automation Insights,” featuring information on “RS232 Cabling Solutions.” Our Newsroom webpage has also been updated with press releases and publications in trade magazine to help customers automate the shop floor.

Don’t wait until it happens to you—the computer hard drive crashes, the RS232 cable fails, the serial hardware that links all your critical machines to your network could be the point of failure that stops production. Contact us today to get a backup, portable USB device that can work with any CNC machine.

We hosted our first webinar on DataXchange on April 3 and the feedback was outstanding.

Viewers were able to get a good glimpse of the product and asked questions about the free trial to run on their machines. Ask us about future webinars.

MEET OUR STAFF

Name: Amy Gates
Title: Senior Account Executive
Time with SFA: 13 Years

Q: What is your position at Shop Floor Automations?
A: I am a Sr. Account Executive. I work with customers to determine their needs and help guide them to the products we offer that will be the best fit for them. I help them before, during and after the sale. What I like best about my job are the relationships I build with customers.

Q: How long have you been with SFA?
A:  I’m coming up on my 13th year working for SFA, though it seems like it’s only been a few. Time sure flies.

Q: What are your favorite products and why?
A: My favorite product right now is probably the powerful JobPack Scheduler. It amazes me how many companies don’t have a true scheduling system; most just use whiteboards or an Excel spreadsheet, which is not very dynamic at all. I feel very strongly that JobPack is a great product that would benefit all my customers.

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I like to go RV camping and 4wheeling and I love to cook.

Q: Tell us something we probably don’t know about you.
A: For fun, I’ve been taking professional “chef” classes at the local community college and I’m working toward a line cook certification. I don’t plan on changing careers, but it’s fun to learn some industry tricks, and it gives me a better appreciation for all the work that goes into running a kitchen in a restaurant.

Link to original newsletter HERE 

January/February 2014 Shop Floor Automations Newsletter

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThe following is an archived copy of the Shop Floor Automations Newsletter from January/February of 2014.

Windows XP support is ending

Do you still have computers running XP in your shop? Microsoft is discontinuing support as of April 2014. You don’t want your shop to be running on a system that has no support. We can help you transition and upgrade over to Windows 7. Our team has the expertise to provide a complete, reliable hardware and software solution to keep your CNC machines up and running. Contact us today!

Facebook posts contest for our customers

Amy Gates, our Senior Account Executive, is taking over the daily responsibilities of our Facebook page and updating it regularly. We have noticed people enjoy seeing stories and pictures about our customers – especially in their facilities.  So we started a contest. Get a chance to win a $50 gift card! Post your picture or video to our wall. Ideally, it is of you using or talking about our services or products. Each quarter this year we will choose a winner. You must “like” us to be eligible to win.

Be sure to like our page https://www.facebook.com/shopfloorautomations

Educational videos coming your way via “Automation Insights”

Our President, Greg Mercurio, has begun a new campaign for 2014: educational videos on YouTube! View his message on this year’s campaign.

Feel free to suggest topics you would like to hear about in the future.

Workshops for Warriors Visit 

Last summer, we reached out to our community and found an opportunity to help promote San Diego veterans at a vocational training center called Workshop for Warriors. This site is a safe environment at which veterans receive vocational training, work experience, and job placements, and also have careers in manufacturing. We donated our time to help network a few of their CNC machines and serve as a resource for veterans who wanted to learn more about automation.

Control your file edits with Editlock

Looking for a way to control NC program edits on the shop floor? The Predator EditLock System enables the “hardware” EditLock key switch on the machine tool to be managed using Predator DNC or Predator PDM software. The EditLock System works with any CNC control that has “EditLock” or “Memory Protect” key switch. It simply installs in the machine CNC cabinet on a DIN rail and can be externally powered via the 110vAC power supply, or directly powered via an internal 24vDC power source inside the machine cabinet.

The solution requires a simple dedicated serial connection to enable the lock to control when to “enable” the download into the machine. It works wireless or wired using Predator software. If there’s ever a need to override the functionality, there’s a disconnect toggle switch that maintenance uses. Learn more

Toll Free: (877) 611-5825
www.shopfloorautomations.com
Email: sales@shopfloorautomations.com

Link to newsletter

October 2013 SFA Newsletter

Shop Floor Automations Newsletter

The following is an archived copy of the October 2013 Shop Floor Automations Newsletter.

Loading Offsets 

Many of our customers are faced with streamlining the process
of loading the NC program along with various other files.
Loading tool offsets are common on the shop floor but are typically a manual process.

By using a DNC system, the operator can request the NC program for the desired part
while the software automates the process in the background to look for the NC program
as well as the associated tool offsets.

If the tool offset file is located, it will queue the file and load the correct file
immediately after the NC program is loaded.  This allows the operator
to simplify the task and save time.

CNC Controller with Limited Memory

Limited to the CNC controller memory in your machine?

While some CNCs are arriving on the shop floor with hard drives and
Ethernet connectivity, most older machines are still in production
where programming departments are forced to break up NC programs or
streamline the program to fit into the controller.

There are several options to bypass these limitations and other
programming challenges by automating the process.  Expand the memory using
Behind the Tape Readers, use a tape mode or DNC function on the control
to drip-feed, or implement sub-programs and load them on the fly
from the PC hard drive to reduce the size of the program on the CNC controller.

Predator New CNC Service 

Predator CNC Service is a Windows service designed to monitor Ethernet-based CNCs machines,
Robots and PLCs.  The service now includes support for MTConnect, Fanuc Focas,
OPC and Structured Data type equipment. Various parameters such a CNC mode,
cycle counters, variables, feeds and speeds for all make and models of Okuma Mills
and Lathes with P300, P200 and P100 CNCs can be captured in real-time.

Improve your schedule accuracy and reduce costs using a real-time,
finite production scheduler that maximizes the use of your resources
and meets your delivery promises. Plan, schedule and manage with
one production management software solution.

Customer Success Stories

We would like to have your feedback of how we were able to help
improve your shop floor with our solutions.
Your story may be featured in leading trade magazines or online
website and can include a little background on your company to share.

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 Hardware 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 for free 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

Technical Note:

Windows XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft in April, 2014.

In order to maintain support for your computer systems from
Microsoft, you will have to upgrade from Windows XP.

Contact us in advance so we can help walk you through this process.
(877) 611-5825 Toll Free
California: (619) 461-4000

More info about SFA here

Link to original newsletter HERE 

September 2013 SFA Newsletter

Shop Floor Automations NewsletterThis is an archived copy of our September 2013 SFA Newsletter:

Add USB to your CNC Machine with Ease!

The USB Connect device acts as an interface between commercially
available USB flash memory and any CNC control with an available
RS232 port.

Machine tool files can be sent from CNC memory to the USB key, USB
key to CNC memory or drip fed (DNC) from the USB key. Flexible DNC
firmware is built into the USB Connect unit allowing connection to
just about any machine tool CNC control.

The USB Connect is available as a pendant or portable model, and supports the Mazak CMT format.

Updating Your CNC Communication System

Is your DNC System outdated, problematic and/or no longer supported
on Windows NT, 2000 or the serial hardware manufacturer’s warranty expired?

Most DNC systems are still in place from 5+ years ago and Microsoft
announced Windows XP will no longer be supported in April 2014. In
order to maintain support from Microsoft, companies will have to
upgrade from Windows XP.

Now you can swap out your communication system with a new wired
Ethernet or wireless solution. Contact us about upgrade specials for
any DNC product as a competitive upgrade saving over 25% on systems.

Our DNC Solutions are compatible with versions of Windows Operating
Systems including:
Windows 7, Vista, 2003 Server and 2008R2 Server, 32bit or 64bit

Monitor Your CNCs On Your Mobile Device

Are you wondering what’s happening on the factory floor when you

leave the office or are attending meetings offsite?

From most devices connected to the web (such as the Apple iPhone, iPad,

iPad Mini, Android tablet or phone) you can monitor your equipment

in real-time and be notified via text or email of escalation activities.

Connect any brand, age, or type of equipment using our Static Relay Controller,

MT Connect, Fanuc Focus or Macro B / User TaskProgramming.

Let our sales team help you increase your productivity by 10% or more

with our low-cost Machine Monitoring Solutions.

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 Hardware 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 for free 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

SFA is Hiring 

We are looking for a qualified Field Technician in the Houston or Dallas area.

Do you or someone you know have the right skills to join SFA?

You can earn a $250 referral reward if we hire your recommendation.

Offer expires once the position is filled.

Technical Note: Predator Software is supported in a virtual environment

such as VMware or Hyper-V.  Reduce your server overhead and costs by contacting us for details.

Predator New Releases:

MDC v10.1
PDM v10.2
FLM v10.0
RCM v10.3
Tracker v10.1
Virtual CNC 10.1

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

Original newsletter link HERE

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