Software & Digital Solutions

With the advent of technologies like the iPad, the field of predictive maintenance has become an accessible and achievable goal for many businesses. The iPad allows anyone from small companies to large multi-facility corporations to implement and commit to a predictive maintenance program utilizing technology that is constantly improving.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence launched PC-DMIS 2017 R2, the latest edition of its measurement software. This is the second of two major releases scheduled for PC-DMIS in 2017, with continued service pack updates to reportedly ensure maximum reliability of the platform.

Fastems introduces the latest release of its software for automated pallet handling for the metalworking industry. Fastems' Manufacturing Management Software (MMS) is for automatic production processing, complete with planning, controlling, visualization and monitoring capablities.

Capgemini's Digital Transformation Institute reports that manufacturers expect investments in smart factories will drive a 27 percent increase in their operation efficiency over the next five years. This would add $500 billion in annual added value to the global economy. Fifty-six percent of surveyed manufacturing executives said their companies have invested $100 million or more in smart factory initiatives over the past five years, while 20 percent claim to have invested $500 million or more.

The GROB Group and Open Mind are joining forces to offer a complimentary two-day technology seminar on August 1-2, 2017. Grob, a manufacturer of universal machining centers is partnering with Open Mind, a developer of CAM/CAD systems, to present innovative production solutions for aerospace and other industries at GROB's U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bluffton, Ohio.

Job shops commonly receive corrupted or "dirty" CAD files from their customers. These files must be cleaned or repaired before toolpaths for machining the workpiece can be created. Software solutions like SpaceClaim, developed by ANSYS Inc., can fix dirty models, with the end goal of creating "watertight" solids ready for machining.

The K2D-KeyToData GmbH (K2D) now offers free test trials of the quality management software InspectionXpert. The trial version will open all available file formats, is fully functional and runs without restrictions for 15 days.

According to Frost & Sullivan's Industrial Automation and Process Control team, cognitive technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are "poised to transform all manufacturing sectors." Partnership, collaboration, and technology investment are crucial for growth opportunities in an era when "data is the new currency." n

Mastercam, a global partner of WorldSkills, is the official supplier to the four machining competitions at WorldSkills 2017: CNC Turning, CNC Milling, Plastic Die Engineering, and the Manufacturing Team Challenge. The Manufacturing Challenge requires the teams to use Mastercam to produce parts on turning and milling machines that may be assembled together to produce a workable product.

FUJITSU GLOVIA Inc. says its hybrid ERP strategy enables manufacturers to more quickly, easily and inexpensively make production line changes, expand manufacturing capabilities, add new facilities or implement lean manufacturing while continuing to benefit from the operational strengths of their SAP ERP systems. GLOVIA G2 manufacturing ERP software has been designed to be fully SAP-compatible, providing manufacturers the opportunity to incorporate a system with enhanced manufacturing ERP capabilities without disrupting corporate use of SAP for financial and human resource functions.

The University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) is celebrating a quadruple success of new memberships with some of the United Kingdom's most forward-thinking technology companies. The center has signed agreements with 3D Scanners, CGTech Vericut, Dontyne Systems and TMS CADCentre, each joining as tier two members.

Bob Warfield of the CNCCookbook.com analyzes the impact of tool deflection in the fourth episode of The CNC Chef, a video series from Cutting Tool Engineering.