Secure CNC Program Distribution & Shop Floor Connectivity
Take USB drives, manual transfers and version confusion out of your existing CNC program management by utilizing Predator Direct Numerical Control (DNC) as a secure, centralized way to manage and deliver CNC programs directly to all your machines.
Predator DNC provides reliable, bi-directional communications between your CNC equipment and a central server, ensuring operators always run the correct, approved program. Backed by more than two decades of shop floor integration experience, Shop Floor Automations (SFA) delivers the implementation expertise, connectivity hardware and ongoing U.S.-based support required to keep your production moving.
In manufacturing, CNC programs are often moved through a combination of USB sticks, shared folders, laptops and tribal knowledge. The result is typically felt the same way: there’s a manual, time-consuming upload and download process in which incorrect or outdated programs are found at the machine. Files are lost or there’s inconsistent backup that increases setup time and operator interruptions. There’s a higher risk of scrap, rework and unplanned downtime, and your ability to conduct true traceability for audits and compliance is limited at best. When you add up the time and effort of engineering, operations and IT – along with the operational risk – the true cost quickly becomes significant.
Predator DNC eliminates these costs by centralizing CNC program storage and automating secure delivery to every connected machine, regardless of age or brand.
Predator DNC creates a reliable communications backbone between engineering and production. When implemented by Shop Floor Automations, your team gains:
Stores and organizes all NC programs in one secure location, with structured folders and machine-aware delivery.
Allows programs to send directly from the server to CNCs with no manual handling. Supports drip feeding, remote requests and operator-initiated downloads at the control
Gives operators access to approved programs instantly at the machine, minimizing trips back to engineering and eliminating USB workflows and non-standard methods of transfers.
Connects virtually any machine, legacy or modern, using RS-232, Ethernet, FTP, SMB and industrial communication standards, including Fanuc Focas, Mori Server, and Mazak CMT.
Integrates Predator DNC across your entire production environment, including:
With Shop Floor Automations, Predator DNC becomes more than CNC communication software – it becomes the foundation for a connected manufacturing environment. Centralize CNC program management, support secure file transfers, connect legacy RS-232 equipment and modern Ethernet machines, and standardize communication across the shop floor. SFA provides implementation, configuration, training and U.S.-based support to help manufacturers improve visibility, reduce manual processes and scale operations with confidence.
SFA has helped manufacturers reduce setup times through centralized access, scale connectivity from single-to-multi-plant operations and reach more reliable production through stable machine communications, while realizing fewer errors caused by incorrect CNC files and faster program changeovers – all resulting from SFA’s 25 years of manufacturing shop floor experience.
Acts as the single source of truth for all NC programs.
Upload, download and drip-feed programs directly to CNC controls.
Allow operators to pull approved programs from the control or workstation.
80 different brands and makes of CNC equipment
Manage hundreds or thousands of CNCs from a unified interface.
Locate programs by machine, part number, job or folder structure.
Serves the needs of both small job shops to enterprise, multi-site manufacturers.
Seamlessly extend Predator DNC with Predator PDM, MDC or Touch HMI as your digital strategy evolves.
Acts as the single source of truth for all NC programs.
Upload, download and drip-feed programs directly to CNC controls.
Allow operators to pull approved programs from the control or workstation.
80 different brands and makes of CNC equipment
Manage hundreds or thousands of CNCs from a unified interface.
Locate programs by machine, part number, job or folder structure.
Serves the needs of both small job shops to enterprise, multi-site manufacturers.
Seamlessly extend Predator DNC with Predator PDM, MDC or Touch HMI as your digital strategy evolves.
Shop Floor Automations has been providing DNC software to communicate to CNC machines since 1998.
Expect your CNC connectivity to support modern IT standards – without disrupting production. Through partnership with Shop Floor Automations, Predator DNC offers:
The Shop Floor Automations Process for CNC Connectivity Success
Your current machines, networks, workflows and goals are reviewed for the creation of a practical implementation roadmap.
The unique configuration of Predator DNC is determined based on your CNC mix, operators, engineering workflows, regulatory environment and IT requirements.
All legacy and modern equipment is connected, communications are validated and reliable transfers are confirmed.
You can expect to receive hands-on guidance for your teams to ensure consistent, reliable and productive DNC communications.
With SFA, you’re embarking on a long-term partnership from a manufacturing integrator that understands both CNC controls and shop floor realities.
