Published 12/3/2010

Factory Monitoring Software

Edited by: MMS Editorial Team

The Freedom eWARE software suite from Mag’s e-tekx software group is an all-encompassing manufacturing data reporting platform designed to provide performance, utilization and availability feedback from any industrial asset on the plant floor. The modular and scalable software package for data acquisition, condition monitoring, energy monitoring and cell control is capable of generating reports and analytics for maintenance, process optimization and OEE. The MTConnect-compliant software can interact with smart phones, tablet PCs and similar mobile devices to display machinery status, productivity data and machinery analytics for various systems on a plant network.

The software consists of five modules for logging, analyzing and reporting information, plus a control-resident eCONNECT interface for each machine that uses a PC front-end control. For non-PC-based CNCs, PLCs and manual machines, the interface runs on a DIN-rail-mounted PC with discrete I/O connections to specific machine electrics. Acting as a data-collection hub and access point for equipment on the plant floor, the interface supplies information to the five software modules: eLOG, eVIEW, eMONITOR, eENERGY and eCELL.

The first module, eLOG, is said to enable rapid visualization of inefficiencies and identification of root causes to facilitate mistake-proofed processes, improved utilization, condition-based maintenance and reduced MRO inventories. The second module, eVIEW, is maintenance-driven and provides in-depth machine diagnostic and monitoring utilities designed to reduce the time needed for diagnosis and repair, particularly for complex problems. The third module, eMONITOR, analyzes and displays data on machine and process health, such as vibration, temperature, pressure, spindle/axis current, and more, for establishment of a condition-based maintenance program. The fourth module, eENERGY, enables plant management to develop an ideal balance between energy consumption, cycle time, part programs and tooling by understanding energy consumption trends related to specific machines, programs and tools. Finally the eCELL is cell control software for automated palletized manufacturing systems and parallel processing of parts.