Addressing interconnection issues

Forcam, a world leader in this field, with over 60,000 machine tools and plant items successfully connected using its Factory Framework MES, has produced a technical paper that explores how to overcome these problems – available from http://www.forcam.com/index.php?id=299.

Leading machine makers, such as Heidenheim, Siemens and Fanuc, incorporate communication software with standardised protocols to facilitate interconnection. However, legacy machines often use obsolete or obscure data collection and streaming software. Data also needs to be aggregated and processed so that it is streamed into the MES in a consistent format.

Forcam’s answer is to use powerful plug-ins that are relevant to the machine and control protocols. These enable consistent and reliable data transfer covering many facets of machine operation such as alarms, tool allocation and the transmission of NC files. Only by 100% data capture can management have a full transparent and real-time view of manufacturing operations and the objective information on which to make correct decisions.