Mitsubishi Electric and Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) have developed a smart information system that sends information directly from the CNC control to the machine operator. This ensures that the operator takes less time to make a decision and can solve tasks even unfamiliar to him faster.
The unexpected failure of a machine costs a company a lot of money. It is then up to the machine operator to make the right decision on the spot to get the machine up and running again. As a rule, the cause of a breakdown can be reliably identified and the optimal solution devised when all relevant information has been gathered.
Smart glasses or tablet
The Fraunhofer IPT and Mitsubishi Electric have collaborated to develop a system that collects all relevant information needed by the machine operator on mobile terminals and presents it in processed form: via smart glasses or a tablet, the employee immediately sees what is going on or what steps to take. The new system works with commercially available smart glasses and tablets using an Android operating system and is now ready to be integrated into industrial production environments.
Reducing downtime
The smart devices communicate directly with Mitsubishi's machine control unit. This allows employees to see in real time when tasks are completed, faults are about to occur, a machine door is not closed properly or when maintenance work is scheduled. The system informs the machine operator directly via a pop-up on the CNC control and offers assistance if needed. For example, he can receive a step-by-step explanation of how to replace a part (in video or text). This allows users to quickly solve a problem themselves and does not require them to stop their other work for long. Companies implementing the system can thus reduce machine downtime, schedule production orders more accurately and produce products faster.
Checking parts
The system not only supports the operator in case of breakdowns and repairs, but also monitors individual machine parts in real time. The smart devices can monitor the status of components continuously and at any time. Operators can thus take action before an imminent fault occurs or be informed by the system that a component has less wear than previously assumed, allowing the operator to decide to reschedule maintenance work.
On the new system, it is also possible to make education and training material accessible. Staff thus expand their knowledge directly while working and can apply it. New and untrained staff can learn and work independently during their first day. The glasses also help experienced staff to operate complex machines.
Mitsubishi Electric and the Fraunhofer IPT are presenting the system for the first time at EMO 2017 (hall 25, booth B94). Companies interested in the system can test it here with various smart devices.
By: Kelly Bakker
Source + photo: Fraunhofer IPT/Mitsubishi
