ntegrating machine tool and production data into company- wide information systems—right down to the chip level—can uncover weak spots, eliminate them, and develop an effective basis for a continual improvement process. In that sense, integration of machine tools into corporate processes is a vital step toward the achievement of lean production. Machine tools can be commissioned more effectively, made more pro- ductive, and are easier to customize and optimize over their entire lifecycle within the complete PLM process chain. Sinumerik Integrate from Siemens Industry Inc. (Elk Grove Village, IL) offers machine tool OEMs the opportunity to optimize Sinumerik CNCs in terms of improved technology, programming, and operation. Builders can integrate their ma- chines quickly, simply and efficiently into customer production and communication processes. However, machine tool users can also use Siemens Integrate to successfully integrate their machines into complex existing corporate IT systems. Benefits include improved productivity and overall reduction in manu- facturing costs.
Integrating machine tool data quickly and reliably into other company processes allows managers, machine opera- tors, part programmers, maintenance engineers, and machine tool builders to be inter-connected with each other and inte- grated into the overall system by means of defined processes. IT-related functions are integrated into the network using a single process suite of six different available modules that cover every aspect of the machine tool integration process. The “Create-it!” module is used to group solutions for the generation and configuration of user-specific functions in the Sinumerik Operate user interface. The programming of interfaces to machine tools and to company servers also falls within the scope of this module. Extensive function librar- ies facilitate the use of NC, PLC, and HMI functions across the entire network. Proprietary technological expertise in the machine tool is protected against unauthorized access using the function of the “Lock-it!” module.
The “Run-it!” module encompasses the entire runtime system for execution of the individual screen interfaces and of internal compile cycles at the NC kernel. Drive control and also the workflow of the virtual numerical controller kernel (VNCK) are also part of this module. “Manage-it!” is used for the organi- zation and management of NC programs and tools, comprising
solutions related to tool, data and program management to en- able the fast, overarching availability of production information. The rapid availability of NC programs over the network, central NC program management and storage are also key functions of this module, as is an overview of actual tool data. The standardized communication interface used through- out the Sinumerik CNC family is made available by the “Ac- cess-it!” module, which allows remote accessing for machine diagnostics. This module helps reduce machine downtime, enhances machine availability by allowing fast online ac- cess and cuts maintenance costs. It also allows backups to be automatically initiated by the higher-level data backup software overnight, or decentrally-generated information such as local NC programs to be collected automatically. “Access- it” has the additional benefit of reducing standstill periods and preventing data loss in the event of component failure.
Sinumerik Integrate ties machine tool and production data to the whole enterprise.
The “Analyze-it!” module makes a number of functions for condition-based maintenance and key indicator-based analysis available. The continuous evaluation of information within the production process allows machine run-times to be increased, while condition-oriented maintenance reduces machine downtime and standstill periods. ME For more information about CNC solutions and services from Siemens Industry Inc., go to www.usa.siemens.com/cnc, or telephone 847-640-1595. TechFront is edited by Senior Editor James Lorincz. He can be reached at jlorincz@sme.org.