DNC Communications Software Boosts Shop Efficiency

The Technical DataPack Direct DNC software module from Shop Floor Automations is designed to deliver electronic files directly to the correct machines and work centers, reducing errors and improving overall efficiency in the factory. The software’s Real Time Viewer feature uses a web-based browser to enable monitoring machine status, part counts, downtimes, productivity, scrap codes and OEE in real-time on the shop floor. It can be viewed using most web-enabled devices, including laptops, smart phones, PDAs or thin clients, and can support customized views and a rolling dashboard of favorite views based on user login.

The company’s Shop Floor Data Collection product using Predator Software generates reports and charts for trends, comparisons, detailed downtime, OEE and other metrics. It also integrates MT Connect to retrieve process information from CNC machines, along with Fanuc Focus Drivers.

The company’s single, wireless device enables controllers to be placed on a network. This results  in a wireless shop floor, which enables high data rates over long distances, secure data with 128-bit and WPA encryption, the ability to network more than 250 machines and mix wired DNC with wireless DNC, the flexibility to move machines, and no need to purchase or string cable.

The USB Connect device adds a memory stick to the CNC control. It is available in a pendant-mounted unit attached to the control and connected through a serial connection, and a portable unit that can be used across a variety of machines as a primary or backup NC program manager. The device can handle file sizes ranging to 16 GB.