Software packages that give a dynamic live display of production status provide CNC machine tools users with total control and awareness in 'real time' of what is happening on the shopfloor.
Users of CNC machine tools can now have total control and awareness in 'real time' of what is happening on the shopfloor with the launch at MACH 2004 of two new software packages able to give a dynamic live display of production schedules, assess the effects of delays and changes to the schedule and to monitor and control the use of CNC programs. Seiki Systems of Brighton, now the manufacturing software division of Kenard Engineering Group, has spent the last 18 months developing a portfolio of productivity enhancing packages that are directed at CNC machine users. The software is able to provide visual information in a paperless environment, of what is actually occurring on the shopfloor in real time, enabling corrective action to be quickly applied in the event of problems and all activities are recorded for analysis and management performance reporting.

The Quality Level DNC package, for instance, enables strict control and full traceability of CNC programs with automatic compilation of records covering program access, status, revision, editing and usage.

It warns of requests for unproven programs, is able to control downloading according to the current status of the program and record any changes made by an operator which enables the user to fully comply with the rigid BS, ISO and other high level quality standards.

Able to operate around the clock either in a wired or wireless environment between CNC machine tools, at a price that compares with conventional up and download program transfer systems it will record data such as program usage, the machine involved, batch details and is configurable to the users requirements.

Through Seiki Systems 'real time' Graphical Work Planning software, any company using MRP/ERP scheduling systems can now transform their production schedules into a dynamic real time system giving minute by minute updates of production status and predicted machine loadings.

It also has the capability to predict jobs expected to be on time or late and display the effects on production, of over-running jobs, changes such as revised completion dates or problems such as delays created by breakdown.

By eliminating paper-based recording via work dockets etc, which only tend to delay information getting to the MRP/ERP system, the fully integrated link through Seiki Systems software will provide a live graphical display of what is actually happening and enables immediate management decision to be made.