FANUC Factory Automation has developed a distributed data-management program specifically for machine tools driven by Fanuc CNC automation. FOCAS Automation Solution Connect (FASConnect) software is described as easy to use, cost-effective, and scalable, and it supports older FANUC CNC systems as well as newer installations. It allows operators to manage CNC data for all the machines in a shop from any network computer.

FANUC FA America will introduce FASConnect at the imX even next month in Las Vegas. FANUC manufactures factory automation (FA) and robots, and its FANUC FA America supplies FANUC CNC systems and in the Americas.

“Backup all your FANUC CNCs and manage your part-programs from anywhere on the network without going down to the factory floor,” explained Paul Webster, product engineering manager. “FASConnect was designed by FANUC, for FANUC, to support the data management requirements of the industry.”

FASConnect is a software-only solution that installs as a Windows service on a central computer. This computer becomes the ‘server’ in the client/server arrangement, and once configured it allows access to all the FANUC CNC systems that are on the plant network.

FASConnect is a software program for network-distributed data management for FANUC CNC-equipped machine tools.

With the main application installed on a central PC and then accessed either locally on that central “server” PC, or remotely via a “client” PC that can be located elsewhere on the same network.

FASConnect uses file transfer protocol (FTP) to achieve a high degree of compatibility. The connected CNCs are accessed “as if they were folders on a computer,” the developer explained. Local and remote access are equally effective, and no client software is required as FASConnect uses the standard Windows Explorer web browser as the client.

Up to 22 users can connect simultaneously. The CNC data files can be dragged and dropped for backup, and the files themselves can be opened with any text editor, and are easy to read.

Since FASConnect software installs as a service in Windows, it can be run without a user login or desktop interaction (which may risk a user accidentally deleting the program.) Built-in security allows for backing up only critical CNC data. Writing of part programs to the CNC is possible as long as the user has the proper credentials (username/password). This reduces the risk of CNC data being compromised but allows for remote part-programs remotely. The FASConnect service will run on Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008. The client can be any Windows-based computer.

Once the program is configured, no non-Windows software is required, and incremental licensing allows shops and manufacturers of all types to use this software cost effectively. It is scalable from 2 to 22 simultaneous users, from 10 to unlimited CNC connections, and multiple ‘servers’ are possible, too.

FASConnect was designed for use by factories of any size using incremental licensing. This purchasing concept allows the buyer to acquire only the number of connections and users that are needed: as the operation grows, additional connections or even new ‘server’ installations can be added. A basic, two-user 10-CNC installation is affordable, and the installation can be scaled up. There is no limit on the number of possible CNC connections.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/87790/Issue

CNC controls vendor NUM has introduced a 3D simulation package that combines workpiece simulation with collision monitoring and other features.
The CAE software allows machine builders to offer new generations of optimistion tools with their machines. Designated True 3D, the software tool is a general-purpose version of NUM’s 3D simulator for multi-axis grinding.
True 3D is said to be one of the first commercial CNC software simulation tools to combine both workpiece simulation and collision monitoring facilities.

It allows machinery users to virtually prototype and optimise the entire machine production process, to yield significant gains including improved machine productivity, reduced tool wear, and faster project completion.

The simulator visualises the tools, the machine’s kinematic properties and the workpiece blank as 3D volumes. Material volume is removed from the workpiece as the tool moves along the machining track according to the CNC program, while the same volume is continuously subtracted from the workpiece blank.

The 3D simulation calculates the entire process chain of a machine tool, from the ISO standard CNC program and its CNC processing, to the machining process.

http://www.manmonthly.com.au/Article/Advanced-3D-CNC-simulation/492934.aspx

IPC-based CNC/PLC automation system is a high-performance tool, which allows complex applications to be comfortably operated, and offers significant advantages for PC-based control systems.

KUKA Controls, a provider of leading real-time extension technology for Windows XP, is reinforcing its expertise in industrial automation by supplying its latest Real-Time Technology to Schleicher Electronic.

This well-established automation enterprise has chosen KUKA Controls’ VxWin technology for its PC-based motion control solution ProNumeric.

The IPC-based CNC/PLC automation system ProNumeric is a high-performance tool, which allows complex applications to be comfortably operated.

KUKA Controls, a provider of leading real-time extension technology for Windows XP, is reinforcing its expertise in industrial automation by supplying its latest Real-Time Technology to Schleicher Electronic.

This well-established automation enterprise has chosen KUKA Controls’ VxWin technology for its PC-based motion control solution ProNumeric.

The IPC-based CNC/PLC automation system ProNumeric is a high-performance tool, which allows complex applications to be comfortably operated.

VxWin offers significant advantages for PC-based control systems.

For instance, by using standard operating systems (VxWorks from Wind River and Windows XP from Microsoft), VxWin offers developers an open platform.

They enjoy the benefits of proven, fully developed and smooth solutions also ensuring compatibility with next generations of VxWorks and Windows XP.

This guaranteed long-term availability stands for investment security and presents significant advantages in terms of competitiveness.

The high-performance ProNumeric automation system is the top-of-the-line model from Schleicher Electronic.

It consists of a computer box and a remote control panel and is delivered as a fully configured, ready-to-run version.

As such, the hardware and software concept of the control system permits simple user operation.

The single-processor system VxWin (the combination of VxWorks and Windows XP on a single CPU) controls - as a complete solution - all control tasks, from motion to processing to visual display.

Once the Windows environment has booted, VxWorks starts up automatically and assumes control, while Windows XP executes the visual display tasks.

“In developing our industrial automation systems, we put our trust in the technology from KUKA Controls,” emphasises Uwe Jacob, head of Technology at Schleicher Electronic.

“Integrating VxWin into our ProNumeric system enables us to significantly reduce the level of development time.

The developers can now focus on the features essential for competitive differentiation.” The strength of motion control systems depends on their performance, flexibility and range of available functions, as well as and particularly on the user-friendliness of the software modules that control the drive technology.

Compared with conventional solutions, PC-based motion control solutions score a hit thanks to their substantially higher level of user- friendliness.

Gerd Lammers, director of sales and marketing at KUKA Controls, explains: “Due to their open interfaces, PC systems allow a company’s specific application know-how to be integrated quickly and seamlessly.

Thanks to the VxWin technology, Schleicher control systems can exploit all the advantages of the PC technology, which has already been proven in over 80,000 real-time systems: the user friendliness of the Windows environment for visual display and operation in addition to the absolute stability ensured by the deterministic real-time operating system in the background.” Moreover, PC-based controls offer remote diagnosis and maintenance options and allow the installation of the commissioning tools from the drive manufacturers.

The linking of the CNC control system with a PLC according to IEC 61131, as this has been realised in the case of the Schleicher ProNumeric system, also ensures flexibility and high performance, which clearly outshine conventional control system combinations from a technological viewpoint.

* About Schleicher Electronic - Schleicher Electronic was established in 1937 and, thanks to innovations such as the quartz-controlled timer, the multi-functional time relay and the integrated CNC/PLC solution, now ranks among the pioneers in automation technology.

Today the company, which belongs to Wieland-Holding, develops and produces electronic components and system solutions for reliable automation.

A key focus of the product range is the XCx family of fully integrated PLC/CNC control systems.

The electronics range includes active system elements such as sequence, motion control and numeric control systems in addition to networking and visual display components.

The successful implementation of customer-specific developments and complete system solutions is based on decades of experience, precision application engineering and the close working relationship fostered with customers.

At the company base in Berlin, Germany, Schleicher constitutes the center of excellence for electronics and system engineering of t he Wieland group of companies.

* About KUKA Controls - KUKA Controls is a wholly owned subsidiary of KUKA Roboter , the number one European industrial robot manufacturer and a part of IWKA Group.

KUKA Controls specializes in real-time software, operating systems, motion control, graphical user interfaces (GUI), handhelds, dynamic algorithms, PC-based hardware development and application programming.

KUKA Controls globally markets real-time extension technology for automation and robotics as well as test and measurement instrumentation and medical devices and equipment.

KUKA robot controllers are developed and produced for the parent company.

* About KUKA Roboter - KUKA Roboter, Augsburg is an IWKA Group company and is the worlds’ leading manufacturer of PC-based industrial robots.

The company’s core competencies are the development, production and sales of industrial robots, controllers, software and linear units.

KUKA is the market leader in both Germany and Europe and ranks 3rd worldwide.

The KUKA Robot Group employs 1.650 people and is represented by over 20 subsidiaries in Europe, USA and Asia.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kuk/kuk113.html

Computer-controlled equipment achieves a high degree of accuracy and finish in a short time and gives the students a greater sense of satisfaction with their work at all levels of competence.

Over the past ten years or so, there has been an increase in the range of equipment offered to students and teachers involved in design and technology.

Much of this is computer controlled and requires a significant investment in new equipment and software, together with the associated training.

Computer-controlled equipment achieves a high degree of accuracy and finish in a remarkable short period of time, compared with more traditional approaches, such as a manually controlled lathe or milling machine.

This gives the students a greater sense of satisfaction with their work at all levels of competence.

It allows students to design and manufacture items which would have been beyond their ability or impossible because of time restrictions, just a few years ago.

As industry has also adopted this equipment in the workplace, it allows students to gain hands-on experience of how design and manufacture works today and can provide them with career aspirations, which they might not otherwise have had.

This is especially important in the UK at a time when there is a chronic shortage of engineers and technicians of all disciplines.

There are three main different types of computer-controlled equipment currently available to education.

They are as follows.

CNC machine tools.

Laser cutters and engravers.

Rapid prototyping.

* CNC machine tools - CNC stands for ‘computer numerical control’ and such machines are controlled directly by a PC running the controlling software.

There are three types of CNC machine in common use.

The CNC lathe is used for turning intricate shapes and for batch production of items.

Schools, however, generally require more complex machining capabilities.

CNC milling machines are robust, heavy and expensive pieces of machinery designed primarily to cut metal.

However, the time it would take to cut out an item would typically be about 10 times longer than the time taken on a CNC router.

This is one of reasons why the router is the most commonly bought machine in schools for cutting 3D models.

The router is much cheaper than the milling machine and there are models large enough to cope with machining components for full-size furniture; they have the added advantage of enabling several smaller designs to be cut at one setting, thus freeing up technician/teacher time.

This has significant benefits at times where there is heavy demand on the machine - course-work preparation or batch production of items for whole class use, for example.

Routers of course are also able to mill, though are restricted to softer metals, plastics, wood and similar materials.

With the addition of a rotary 4th axis, CNC routers can cut full 3D shapes, as well as perform most of the tasks of a lathe.

Some machines also offer the ability to cut PCB tracks.

* Laser cutters and engravers - these dual-purpose machines are particularly favoured in education because of their ease of use and speed of operation for both cutting and engraving, primarily for smaller articles.

This can be done on a variety of materials including acrylic, wood, paper and cloth.

They are not suitable for cutting metal (though they can engrave metals) and, although they can engrave glass, they cannot cut through it.

They also allow students to burn a design onto the surface of textile materials, as an alternative to embroidery or thermal transfers.

Laser cutting/engraving machines are the fastest technology available for creating 2D shapes, and are therefore often a good starting point for schools investing in DandT equipment for the first time.

They are also the easiest to use, as they are similar in use to desktop printers running off a PC.

* Rapid prototyping (RP) machines - an RP machine is used to build up a 3D model by depositing material in layers.

These include thin sheet materials such as plastics (bricklayer) and also used for powders, resins, waxes and plastic filaments.

A good analogy for RP is that of building a house brick by brick, layer by layer, although the ‘brickie’ is replaced by an automatic computer-controlled process.

RP manufacture is generally slower and more expensive than CNC machining but has the added benefit of producing more intricate designs.

It is a key tool in modern day manufacturing, enabling designs to be modelled and/or tested, and to speed products to the marketplace.

Although it was previously a very expensive technology, restricted to large industries such as automotive and aerospace, dramatically falling prices, new technologies and improved reliability have all made RP machines accessible to small companies and to schools alike.

* Points to consider when purchasing - although it is important to consider each type of machine’s specifications individually to ensure that it is tailored to meet a school’s needs, there are many general considerations to take into account, which would apply to all three technologies.

Here are a few.

Is the machine robust? Is it used in industry as well as in education? It will be far more appropriate and beneficial to the students if the machine has been designed and built for industrial markets.

Is it ’state of the art’ and does it represent the future of manufacturing technology? Is it user friendly for both staff and students in terms of software and hardware? Is it reliable and accurate? What is the likely lifetime cost of the equipment in terms of capital outlay for the machine and software and its maintenance? Does it conform to health and safety requirements and does it have CE approval? Can the teacher control access to the equipment so that it can only be used by the students under supervision? Will the equipment fit into the available space and are all access doorways large enough to allow the machine to pass through? Are there enough mains sockets and a convenient network point nearby if computer network access is required? Is dust extraction being provided? Will the noise levels be too intense? This should be assessed so that the students are still able to work whilst the machine is running.

Will there be adequate space around the equipment for its safe and easy use and can it be transported safely? (For smaller pieces of machinery if they are being used in different locations).

Does the supplier provide on site demonstrations, hands on training and what is the level of after sales support? Does the supplier have an in depth knowledge of the educational market in addition to the industrial applications of the equipment? The detailed capability of any machine must be assessed in its own right and there are many variations between manufacturers, even for the same type of machine.

For example, US manufactured laser tubes typically are more effective and have a longer life than a Chinese tube of the same wattage.

Software capability and compatibility can also vary quite widely and, again, this must be assessed for each specific machine and manufacturer.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/une/une157.html