Keep track of production with Machine integration
Machine integration (MI) is Monitor’s solution to provide a comprehensive overview and keep track of your machines. MI provides more secure reporting, more reliable post-calculations, less and more simplified manual reporting for operators, improved machine monitoring, OEE scores, and the ability to better keep track of machine usage and total profitability.
MI is a function that integrates your machines with MONITOR and automatically reports data to the ERP system. This gives you a complete solution for monitoring and following up work carried out in automated processes:
In a modern production environment with a high level of automation, it’s important to continually follow-up stop time and machine usage. MI enables machines themselves to report stops and manufactured quantity directly to MONITOR, so you can see the rate of usage. And in the MI interface by the machine, the operator can select the stop cause and follow up on duty time for the machine.
MI is vital for us in order to do things the right way.
For Munkfors based Swedev, MI is an integral part of the operation. The machine operators divide their time between the machine and quality control, which takes place in an adjoining room. Here they sit and check the final products, while also keeping track of what’s happening on the other side of the wall in the machine room.
“We use Machine integration mainly for material reporting, operation reporting, to check the priority plan and read the work to be run, and to print out order documents. These are the key areas for the operator at the machine, and here we can manage with MI, and don’t need the full G5 interface. The advantage of the MI interface is that it’s specifically adapted to what is required at the machine. It has fewer buttons, which are larger, and it’s more clear,” explains Joel Gustavsson, a production engineer at Swedev.
A dashboard shows the exact quantity remaining for a job under way, as well as any stops that require action. This means the operators always know exactly what needs to be done, and when.
“MI is vital for us in order to do things the right way. MONITOR has excellent planning functions, but when it comes to operations at the machine itself we have to know what to run and obtain the right reporting, with operation and material. Here, MI is key,” he adds.
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The technology under the hood
Each machine is connected to a PLC unit, with interprets the signal from the machine and reports it to MONITOR. It transmits one signal when the machine is in operation, and one signal when a piece is finished.
In addition to the PLC unit you’ll also need an MI server, and a machine terminal for each machine. You can then connect any number of dashboards.