Production Machining

MAY 2016

Production Machining - Your access to the precision machining industrial buyer.

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PRODUCTION MONITORING With an operation-level control function, an operator can log into the control as he/she would on a PC, with name and password, but the operator is assigned a level of operation by management. Te level will only allow access to features of the machine control for which the operator has been trained. Te level can change as his or her capabilities advance. Companies can utilize fve diferent levels, from the basic level of cycle start and override switch and chuck open/close, to the top level, allowing full permission to review PMC parameters, macro links and program edits. Tis operation level also links to the production monitoring system, which shows who was operating the machine during a particular time or day. Te production monitoring feature allows a user to review the produc- tion capacity of the machine tool hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Part numbers can also be looked up, and users can see the efciency of the day's production. Te results can be downloaded to a PC, and they display when the machine is in an alarm mode or setup mode. A trouble guidance feature helps the operator clear an alarm state via a step-by-step pictorial on the control LCD. It will even give the part number that may be needed to resolve the issue. Users also get a history of any alarm, with dates and number of repeat alarms. Warning messages are recorded as well. Nakamura has also designed a number of features to help simplify the operation of a multi- tasking machine. Te cut-in-check feature allows the operator to stop the process with a push of a button. When the button is pushed, the machine stops at the end of the next program line, the spindle stops, coolant stops, and the safety door switch Daily working hours are shown in a line graph. Contents are shown in a bar graph. The period can be adjusted here. OPERATION LEVEL CONTROL FUNCTION :: The production monitoring system shows who was operating the machine during a particular time or day and al- lows a user to review the production capacity of the machine tool hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. :: The operator can be photographed in front of the machine, and the photo is displayed when the operator is logged into the machine. Operator's photo can be registered. Here's another article on this topic: Software Simplifes Turn-Mill Operations Read how multitasking program verifcation and optimi- zation software improved this company's production. LINK :: short.gardnerweb.com/CAMplete opens. An operator can then check a size, inspect a tool or remove chips. When fnished, the operator can simply push the cut-in-check button and cycle start to resume the process. Tis feature can be valuable to the operator when running a complex process. Many other display features show the machine status. Most are shown in several diferent ways. Te main status display shows spindle rotation and axis home position as an illuminated indicator; feed rate override and load meter are shown with a graphic or numerical display. A voice guidance feature will speak to the operator to verify the status of the switch or button being used. Voice guidance provides an additional check to prevent operator error. Te Smart X control includes more features incorpo- rated into the advanced levels, designed to make machine tool operation more intuitive for the millennial user. For more information from Methods Machine Tools Inc., call 978-443-5388 or visit methodsmachine.com. CONTRIBUTOR Richard Parenteau is director of application development and Nakamura-Tome product manager at Methods Machine Tools Inc. Methods has been a supplier of precision machine tools and solutions for more than 55 years. TECH BRIEFS productionmachining.com :: 31

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