Software & Digital Solutions

I'm one of those annoying people who stays current on technology. I store my stuff in the cloud, patch my software religiously and have my fifth smartphone in as many years. Despite my geeky tendencies, however, I'm apprehensive about the effect that Industry 4.0 and the industrial internet of things will have on … well, the industry.

Bob Warfield of the CNC Cookbook offers seven tips for avoiding breaking taps in the 11th episode of the CNC Chef, a Cutting Tool Engineering video series produced in conjunction with the CNC Cookbook.

Open Mind Technologies AG has announced that its hyperMILL CAM software has provided 5-axis programming to successfully replicate a basketball hoop. The basketball hoop was machined on a GROB G350 5-axis machining center using conical ball barrel cutters from OSG.

The latest version of WorkPLAN ERP, from Vero Software, has been developed for the specific requirements of production management, in terms of mobility and rapidity from the design phase of a project, right through to delivery of the end product.

The Get With the Program column in the December 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering highlights one shop's process for implementing CAM software.

The Sinumerik Operate user interface has been further developed to enable even more easily manageable and intuitive operation of machine tools. This gives machine tool builders the opportunity to develop their own individual design in keeping with their corporate identity, lending machine tools a contemporary, distinctive look.

Siemens offers a new version of its Safety Integrated (SI) function for Sinumerik 840D sI in the form of its Safety Integrated plus — software for integrated control solutions. Previously, completely separate programs had to be written for the NC Kernel (NCK) and PLC. Now, this will only be necessary for the PLC.

I attended 'Integr8,' an Industrial Internet of Things conference hosted by Automation Alley at Detroit's Renaissance Center last month. At numerous breakout sessions, a common question from participants was, "How do I get started with getting my shop floor connected?" This was an event full of experts enthused by the possibilities that IIoT hold for manufacturers, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear many of them reply, in effect: "With moderation."n

Rethink Robotics announced the upcoming release of Intera 5.2, an expansion of its Intera software platform that provides critical data insights to manufacturers in real time.

Beckhoff Automation announced the incorporation of comprehensive image processing capabilities into its PC-based control system with new TwinCAT Vision software. TwinCAT unites a comprehensive range of machine functionality – PLC, motion control, robotics, high-end measurement technology, IoT, HMI and now machine vision – all in an end-to-end engineering and control platform.

In the digitized manufacturing world being born, the product that a job-shop produces is less a piece of engineered metal and more a piece of intellectual property. So said Tom Kelly, the executive director and CEO of Detroit's Automation Alley. That difference brings risks but also unprecedented opportunities for those who are ready.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence today announced its support for Workshops for Warriors (WFW), a non-profit school created to train military veterans in the field of advanced manufacturing. Hexagon has contributed several portable ROMER Absolute Arms to help expand the program into metrology education with industrial grade equipment and expert mentoring.