information to a memory card. These methods are diffi cult, time consuming and failure prone. Program management has been the reverse, where someone needed to walk the program down to the CNC or an operator had to actively pull the program from the network while at the machine. With available accessibility from any PC on the network, the CNC data is presented in a folder/fi le structure that makes it easy to view with Windows Explorer. FASBacCNC makes viewing and backing up the data easy and intuitive with a Windows-like interface. Transferring text fi les is fast and convenient across the Ethernet network and provides less opportunity for human errors. The complete fi le back- ups can be used for various purposes such as maintenance archiving, difference comparison or disaster recovery. Data management is a snapshot using text-based data. Writing of part programs to the CNC is possible and allows for remote part programming without being at the machine.
Integrate Industrial Robotics A slowdown in capital equipment purchases is an ideal time to analyze and assess manufacturing processes that can be robotically automated, along with updating exist- ing automation equipment with new robotic automation, for when funding becomes available. Industrial robot orders in North America reached an all-time high in 2014 (+28% vs. 2013), according to the Robotic Industries Association, with the fastest-growing applications being arc welding (+58%), spot welding (+57%), assembly (+16%) and material handling (+11%). This refl ects a number of robot utilization opportu- nities seen in today’s oil & gas manufacturing operations, where robots are being used extensively. Today, industrial robots are being used to arc-weld drill- heads together, and to load and unload drillheads, valves, pumps, piping materials, and a variety of cast/forged compo- nents to machine tools. Robotic bin picking for machine tool load/unload has become a highly reliable process through advances in robotic 3D vision systems that are used to locate, pick and load cast or forged parts into a machine tool. In ad- dition to the value robots add through quality and faster load speeds, servo doors can be incorporated on the machine to allow high-speed synchronization with a CNC to allow faster part load/unload. Other applications for the oil & gas industry being heavily utilized are robotic assembly, deburring, hardfac- ing, threading, fi nished part inspection, and painting applica- tions that require Class 1 Div. 1 explosion-proof capabilities. Ease of use for these products will continue to advance due to the requirements of a reduced-skill labor force. For example, many workers that are experienced welders may fi nd
In slow times there may not be the cash fl ow needed to invest in capital equipment like robotics, but there is the time to plan to do so when business picks up.
the current level of automation diffi cult to use, especially for a low-volume and high-model mix of parts. Robot manufacturers are simplifying path teaching and weld procedure develop- ment. This will ensure that oil & gas components can be set up and welded quickly, with excellent quality regardless of whether the product is a small batch or single item run. Expect oil & gas component suppliers to signifi cantly increase the use of robots as oil & gas manufacturers—as with many other industries—look to use robotic automation as a way to be more competitive, fl exible and provide products quickly during peak times. Your local robotics system integrator can provide recommendations on areas in which robots can get you up to speed quickly when capital equipment funding is freed up.
Summary
Spend your time wisely now by preparing for the upturn in oil & gas. Investigate technology that can help you be more produc- tive and work smarter from the shop fl oor to the top fl oor. Other things to consider during this downtime in addition to what is featured in this article are software features includ- ing tooling review to reduce cycle time, wireless technology for data transfer, power consumption and energy savings, preventive maintenance, and failure detection features. Implementing one or more of these features will better pre- pare your company for the upturn in the industry. So keep your focus on the half-full part of a glass as that is what will pay off in the future.
37 — Energy Manufacturing 2015
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