Product category:
Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Seiki Systems | Subject: DNC software, systems control
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 April 2006
DNC provides 'on demand' CNC
manufacturing data
DNC software is dedicated to users looking to maximise the output of CNC machine tools by providing integrated modular solutions including 'on demand' distribution of up-to-date manufacturing data.
The ability of Seiki Systems networked manufacturing system software to be easily customised, which was one of the key factors to influence the judges in Metalworking Production's Best Software category in the 2004 Metalworking Production Awards, has led to significant growth with some 7,000 CNC machines connected across a wide spectrum of manufacturing companies in the UK and during 2005, to chalk-up over GBP 100,000 of sales in America from the Brighton-based company The take-up in the US of the Networked Manufacturing System (NMS) followed initial promotion and demonstrations to potential American users which has led to the establishment of valuable reference sites across the country including the US Navy, Alstom Power, Delta Airlines, Honda of America, Baker Oil Tools, Spirax Sarco, and Westinghouse
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 13 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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DNC ups productivity at Parker Hannifin
As part of the drive towards order-driven lean manufacturing, the Seiki Systems DNC system at Parker Hannifin of Rotherham has speeded up CNC program downloading considerably.
Machine monitoring repays many times over
For Colin Smith at HPC Engineering, a relatively modest investment in a Seiki Systems machine monitoring system, for 46 CNC machine tools, has been repaid many times over.
The significance of the Seiki Systems software is in its dedication to users who are looking to manage and maximise the output of CNC machine tools by providing integrated modular solutions including 'on demand' distribution of up-to-date manufacturing data.
This data is controlled through DNC with audit trail and traceability, machine performance monitoring, off-site status information, remote 'production stopped' alarms, performance reports, OEE data analysis as well as real-time graphical work scheduling with integrated shop wide work queues.
As a result users have access to a pool of 'up-to-the-minute' factual information to make constructive decisions on deliveries, capacity, production problems and capability.
Further reading
Wireless DNC avoids cabling, adds flexibility
A totally independent method of communicating between the control systems of CNC machine tools and a centralised remote PC has been developed for distribution and control of machining programs.
Software ensures program control and traceability
Software enables strict control and traceability of computer programs transferred to CNC machine tools and processing equipment, thus assuring users full compliance with quality standards.
Software gives dynamic real time production status
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.
The future for Seiki Systems is looking extremely positive.
Many customers that have installed or are planning to install its software have global operations providing a valuable launch pad for international expansion for the Brighton-based company by providing the solution to global production data exchange using the Internet between various sites around the world.
The company has also expanded its manufacturing software base, following extensive customer research and discussion that revealed clear messages that companies under pressure in highly competitive markets need a tool to effectively manage the production of orders and work in progress on the shopfloor.
They also need more than ever, to strictly maintain agreed delivery dates and production targets and to maximise machine tool utilisation in order to improve output and reduce costs.
To satisfy these needs, Seiki Systems recently added a totally integrated manufacturing execution system (iMES) to its portfolio that is suitable for use by any production company using CNC machine tools.
This system now enables the workload across all CNC machines in the workplace to be graphically scheduled following either direct integration with an existing MRP system or, for smaller companies, by Seiki Systems providing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) capability within the software package.
In both cases iMES enables real-time feedback and true, live dynamic predictions of machine workloads creating direct information such as projected completion dates and performance reporting in a paperless environment to a level of sophistication and manufacturing solution the user requires.
This can be as diverse as the provision of a planning system to help with quotation costing, control of production via a real time scheduler, display of manufacturing data and DNC for operators, shopfloor data collection through to final despatch and management reporting.
As the scheduler module within iMES works in real-time it is able to portray any roll-on effects of changes in production using data captured by NMS which is directly integrated to the scheduler.
During the first half of 2005, specialist subcontract machinist Kenard Engineering of Dartford increased its sales turnover by some 30 per cent helped in part by the installation of new high specification machine tools.
But it is a new manufacturing and production scheduling system by Seiki Systems that is proving critical in the on-going control of day-to-day events on the shopfloor to maximise production and deliveries.
As there are now some 320 different components, most of which are high value and require up to 38 operations on the 'Work to Do' list at the company's Dartford site, accurate and detailed control and monitoring is paramount.
Not only has the new software built confidence right through the company in its ability to control production, but it has also improved machine utilisation and, by reducing work-in-progress times, has set the business well on its target of giving customers a 40-day turnaround from enquiry to delivery.
This can be summed up by Keith Ellis, manufacturing director: "All information regarding work in progress is now held within the company and not by individuals which means we are able to work with factual information and no longer rely on someone's instinct.
As a result workflow is now controlled and we are able to respond positively to customer demands." So successful has the iMES installation become that the system has been installed to control day to day events on the shopfloor at the sister subcontract machining facility in Tewkesbury when 18 CNC machines and a five machine flexible manufacturing system is installed.
The system has live links back to Dartford to provide a totally transparent capacity, work in progress, production analysis and management reporting system.
* Seiki Systems at MACH 2006, NEC, Birmingham, UK, May 15-19, Hall 5, Stand 5566.
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