New Applications for Machine Tool CNC IT-Integration Software

The “Sinumerik Integrate for production software” suite from Siemens Industry, Inc. (Elk Grove Village, IL) includes applications for simple management of machine tools and part programs, transparent recording of machine states and production data, as well as the remote maintenance of machines installed all over the world. Now Siemens has added new applications to its Sinumerik Integrate software suite for networking machine tools with production-level IT systems. The new release now includes Manage MyMaintenance (MMM), an effective maintenance-tasks management system, and Access MyData (AMD), a set of open interfaces that now allows direct access to machine and process data.

Access MyData offers an interface to access machine and process data of machine tools controlled by the Sinumerik 840D sl CNC. To allow data communication, the machine tool is directly connected to the Sinumerik Integrate server at the customer’s site. AMD Basic is available free-of-charge and enables the direct reading and writing of NC and PLC data from the Integrate application server. Purchasing extensions to AMD Basic allows machine tool data to be processed and NC part programs transferred via a file transfer interface.

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Manage MyMaintenance enables small and medium-sized shops to enter the world of maintenance management without any additional investment. MMM automatically instructs the user, as soon as a new maintenance date is scheduled for a machine. The time and tasks to be performed are presented in a clearly laid out list. Self-explanatory color-coding indicates which measure is overdue and which has not yet reached its deadline. A number of maintenance tasks can be defined and intervals specified. The software is easily installed via the Sinumerik Operate graphical user interface without any programming effort.

Siemens also announced a new version of Sinamics S120 Cabinet Module (CM) drive packages that are compliant with North American standards, with optional UL listing. This unique product enables easy configuration for North American users of even complex common DC bus lineups for multi-motor coordinated drive systems, as well high horsepower stand-alone drives for a wide variety of industrial applications.

Key to the global growth of the Sinamics S120 CM range is its modularity and flexibility. Pre-designed, fully type-tested modules, including line side components, line infeeds (bus supplies) and motor inverters, all with a broad range of standard options, are selected and configured from a catalog. Compared to the traditional approach of custom-engineered systems, this approach offers a significant reduction in engineering effort and manufacturing lead times which translates to reduced project costs and a compressed delivery schedule, while minimizing technical and commercial risk for even the most complex drive systems.

Individual cabinet modules have a standardized power and control interface, which allows them to be freely positioned in a line-up as best suits the particular application, and makes them easy to install and connect. The broad range of standard options including, the DC bus current rating and enclosure type, for example, is available to tailor the line-up to best meet site and environmental conditions. Despite standardization, the design offers a high degree of flexibility for both power and control circuits. For line side converters, there is a choice of non-regenerative Basic Line Module (diode rectifier) or fully regenerative Smart and Active Line Modules. Both of these are IGBT inverters, the Smart Line Module being a more basic six-pulse unit, whereas the Active Line Module offers low harmonics exceeding the demands of IEEE 519, unity or controllable power factor and DC bus voltage control that allows stable operation of motors even on poor power supply systems. Basic and Smart Line Modules can also be configured in 12-pulse, 18-pulse or 24-pulse systems for low harmonic operation. All of these configurations are now compliant with the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and Short Circuit Current Ratings per UL508A supplement SB of up to 100 kA.

The Sinamics S120 firmware, combined with Drive-CLiQ (the flexible backplane bus), allows users to assign control units multiple Line and Motor Modules and to mount the control units and associated I/O and sensor modules anywhere within the line-up or even remotely in a centralized control cabinet or control room. Drive-CLiQ provides automatic electronic nameplate, real-time control data transfer, diagnostic and parameter value gathering and fault tolerant transfer protocols. For external control systems, high-speed industrial Ethernet communications can be parameterized for EtherNet/IP, PROFINET or Sinamics Link (peer-to-peer), and programming can be done via a dedicated port or Ethernet TCP on the Ethernet network simultaneously with Profinet or EtherNet /IP.

Sinamics S120 Cabinet Modules were designed to address the need for a complete, ready-to-connect-and-run drive system that enables customers to configure an enclosed drive lineup with a central line infeed (rectifier) and common DC bus supplying power to multiple motor modules (inverters). Typical uses for such systems requiring multi-motor coordinated drive systems include paper machines, steel rolling mills, test stands, cranes, mixers, and oil and gas field equipment. Very high horsepower single drive applications also benefit from this system. The use of a common DC bus configuration with these new drive packages allows for energy exchange between motors that are motoring and others that regenerating power back to the AC system, which can save up to 80 percent of the energy consumed when using standard installations.

Siemens also has a new generation of operator panels for high-end CNC applications. The Sinumerik blackline panels OP 015 black and OP 019 black for the Sinumerik 840D sl CNC system offer new options for machine operation. The inductive sensor technology enables rapid interaction with the user interface even when the operator is wearing gloves. Similarly, it prevents incorrect entries, for example caused by the heel of the operator‘s hand.

The 19 in display of the OP 019 black can show all the entries made in widescreen format at a glance. The OP 015 black also features an alphanumerical keypad on the right that can be operated via touch control. This feature means that the 15 in display is not restricted by the superimposed keypad during data entry, which ensures clear and efficient operation. Both blackline panels also have an integrated glass panel on the front side and are designed with IP65 (OP 019 black) and IP66 (OP 015 black) degrees of protection. They are resistant to liquids and dust and can be operated even under harsh industrial conditions. An integrated key lock helps safeguard against operating errors. The operator panel can provide a basic machine display, with three or four channels showing up to 13 axes.

The blackline panels also feature durable LED background lighting, providing 40 percent energy savings compared to conventional neon lamps. In combination with the Sinumerik 840D sl control, for use on high-end milling, turning, grinding and laser cutting machine tools, the blackline panels can be used as an operating and programming station for aerospace composite machining, power generation and medical part manufacturing, in addition to tool- and mold-making, rotary indexing machines and in shop floor manufacturing.

Siemens Industry, Inc., Motion Control Business – Machine Tools, 390 Kent Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007, 847-640-1595, Fax: 847-437-0784, www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.