E-manufacturing capability with its advanced manufacturing system software

Citation

(2001), "E-manufacturing capability with its advanced manufacturing system software", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773fab.011

E-manufacturing capability with its advanced manufacturing system software

E-manufacturing capability with its advanced manufacturing system software

Keywords: Seiki Systems, Software

We are informed that one of the most advanced networked manufacturing systems currently available for supporting and monitoring computer controlled (CNC) machine tools on the shopfloor can now be fully integrated with existing MRP/ERP planning systems and provide data exchange via Internet and intranet systems to create a full e-manufacturing environment.

The introduction of Version 4.10 of the Networked Manufacturing System (NMS) from Brighton-based manufacturing software developer Seiki Systems, will reportedly enable information for all types of CNC machines to be distributed to machine shops in a paperless e-manufacturing environment.

A wide range of users from small subcontractors to large OEM organisations will also be able to take advantage of the "real time", machine tool monitoring and data analysis capability of the NMS system while simultaneously benefiting from tailored off-site alarms with the added security and advantages achieved via a seamlessly integrated single system.

NMS is said to provide all the machining information requirements for an operator on the shopfloor in a single system environment. Machine operators can view MRP/ERP generated "work to" lists and once a job is selected from the list, all the relevant setting information and data such as component drawing, tool list, NC program, etc. that is applicable can be automatically displayed.

According to Seiki, the data displayed can be accessed from local storage or via Internet or intranet and the same software can then used to download the relevant CNC program to the control system on the machine tool. In addition, we told that, should the CNC program be larger than the memory of the control, NMS is able to drip-feed the relevant program data to match the capability of the control.

When a job is selected from the MRP/ERP "work to" list, NMS will automatically confirm to the MRP/ERP system that the job has been started. This enables the planning system to update, and, for instance, schedule subsequent operations against expected times. Once the operator advises NMS that the task is complete, further confirmation is automatically sent to update the MRP/ERP system.

Importantly, MRP data can only be interactively viewed and not imported into the Seiki Systems software, thus ensuring that the work to list is always current and up to date.

A secure "off-site" management facility in NMS is said to allow external access to work queues, current machine status and performance data. This can be coupled to "off-site" automatic alarm activation such as messages to mobile phones or creation of e-mails in the event of a machine problem, and provides a true on-line e-manufacturing environment.

Performance analysis enhancements in V4.10 include the ability to compare the utilisation of individual machines, compare actual results against original planning of setting and cycle times and to compare actual job costs against planned or estimated figures.

All performance analysis is carried out via scrolling graphics, which enables quick and easy identification of individual events, and all analysis data can be printed or distributed in bitmap or HTML format. With information displayed and distributed in this format, problem isolation is said to becomes a factual-based procedure which provides the foundation for productivity to be optimised.

Further details are available from: Seiki Systems. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 680411.