ETG Keeps The Spindles Turning With Innovative CIMCO Software

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is now offering its customers the new CIMCO software solution. MTD spoke to Michael Kenna, the Engineering Manager of ETG Ireland to find out more.

Michael told MTD that there are quite a lot of key elements to the CIMCO system. “The elements include the DNC and the data monitoring MDC Max for data collection from your machines on the shop floor. The data we can collect includes the stop and start, feed rates, part count, cycle times and pretty much anything related to the process. The main use for collecting this data is to identify efficiency. Supervisors won’t always know how well their machines are running. Typically within one month of installing CIMCO you can realise 10% improvements and this comes from the visual element alone.”

“Operators will realise straight away that the process is being monitored and it gives a boost to improve the process. Unlike other systems, the CIMCO can monitor all types of machines. It can work with NT Connect which is on a lot of Mazak machines, it can work with HAAS and many other popular machine tool brands as it can interface with FANUC, Heidenhain and Siemens CNC control units. If there are any machines that it isn’t compatible with, we can wire it directly into the back of the machine tool, find the signal and make it work with any machine brand.”

The visual system can be viewed on a large screen at any area in the machine shop, office or even on your mobile device. “You can be sat at home on a Sunday evening and if you are worried about production, you can check in via your phone and check what is working or if there are any problems with production. Alternately it has alarms, text messages or automated emails to notify the responsible person about any issues.”

The system allows access via the web and the level of access can be set to for individuals and the payback period will be noted within 6 to 12 months. As Mr Kenna concludes: “This system is all about ‘Keep it lean and keep it green’.

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