Fabricator's wired DNC bites the dust

Dust, from the intensive cutting and welding which takes place in the same workshop, was constantly clogging the cables, sockets and connectors feeding code to the gas profiling centres, causing regular breakdowns. The solution came in the form of a wireless barcode system to transmit the CNC codes from the server in the offices to the two Messer Cortina machines. The company's CNC cutting machines are driven by the sheet metal software Radan, including two Amada and two Trumpf punches, an LVD press brake, four Trumpf lasers and the two profile burning centres. "Without the CNC programming that Radan produces for us, we just wouldn't be able to carry out any of the work we do," explained senior engineer Tim Paterson. "We've used Radan, from Planit Software, for around ten years, and it's absolutely essential to our business." CNC codes were fed to all the machines by cable from the server, as part of Planit's Manufacturing Control Solutions (MCS). Using MCS reduced the time needed to load programs by providing automatic upload, download and drip feeding of NC code files directly from the server to any of the machine tools However, while the cable-based ethernet system was ideal for sending post processed code to the punches, lasers and press brake, the CNC code sent to the Messer Cortinas began to experience disruption. With the ever increasing work in the flame profiling and welding shed, the dusty and moist atmosphere affected the computer keyboards and cable connections, causing the growing number of breakdowns. "It was becoming so unreliable that we spoke to Planit to see if there was a way round the problem," continued Mr Paterson, "and they came up with the wireless solution." The wires linking the profile cutters to the server were all removed, and a wireless box was fitted inside the control of both machines. A wireless router was mounted in the shed, which now handles all communication between server and machine. "With Planit's wireless DNC system there are no wires, no mess, no downtime caused by breakdown, and no errors. It not only provides the solution to our problem, it also gives us peace of mind," says Tim Paterson.