Enhanced Ethernet Based Machine Monitoring

Shop Floor Automations announces a new solution for Machine Monitoring utilizing MTConnect, FOCAS and other solutions called CNC Service (originally an article in CNC West).

SHOP FLOOR AUTOMATIONS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF PREDATOR’S
ENHANCED ETHERNET-BASED MACHINE MONITORING

Predator SoftwareLA MESA, Calif. – December 16, 2014 – Shop Floor Automations (SFA), the largest distributor and Service Center for Predator Software Inc., today announced the release of Predator’s popular Manufacturing Data Collection (MDC) software for Ethernet-based machine tools.

For many years, Predator has offered its fully automated, real-time MDC system for any size company to monitor and improve shop floor productivity using PLCs, macros, and paper-based solutions. This solution integrated well into equipment with stack lights and older machines to capture running, alarms, feed hold, and idle time, but left some users objecting to adding more equipment due to the costs of hardware requirements.

Today, most CNC machines include Ethernet ports and can be leveraged for data collection. CNC machines that use a Fanuc controller may have a feature called FOCAS, which allows for the capture of real-time data such as overrides, spindle speed, program number, feed/speed rates, alarms, and indicates control mode. Read more below.

Read more

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