Our CNC Cell System (CNC-Cell) is a Windows based system that runs on a standalone PC. The CNC-Cell supports Machine Tools using Fanuc Controls, and utilizes Fanuc’s Open CNC (Focus1 Interface) to communicate data to and from each CNC Machine Tool(s). CNC-Cell provides the following features:



v User Level Security

v CNC Program Upload/Download/Delete

v Automatic Tool Data Registration

v Tool Identification By Code Tag (Option)

v Tool Kit Management and Tool Tracking (Option)

v Tool Presetter Support (Option)

v Automatic Work Zero Offset Registration

v Part Scheduling

v 4 Face Fixture Support

v CMM Support (Option)

v Material Handling System Support (Option)

v Lights-Out Operation

v Event History and Performance Data

v Network Support



User Level Security

Users must login to the CNC-Cell program to gain access to its functions. All functions in the program can be assigned to any user. This allows you to protects critical system functions from being accessed.



CNC Program Upload/Download/Delete

NC Programs can be Uploaded (written) to NC Memory. Any NC Program on the CNC-Cell, network drive, or floppy disk can be sent to NC Memory.



NC Programs can also beDownloaded (read) from NC Memory and stored on the CNC-Cell. Any Program in NC Memory can be read and stored on the CNC-Cell. The posted NC Program is Reverse Posted automatically when stored on the CNC-Cell.



NC Programs in NC memory can be Deleted by the CNC-Cell.



Automatic Tool Data Registration

The CNC-Cell maintains a database of tooling data (location, offsets, tool#, life data). Through the CNC-Cell application, the operator can assign or delete tools from any CNC Control in the cell. When the action is confirmed, the data is automatically registered on that CNC Control.



Tool Identification By Code Tag (Option)

The system supports identifying tools by reading a Code Tag (by Kennametal) mounted on the tool‘s holder. The operator can add or remove a tool’s data from the CNC Control by using the supplied Code Tag Reader Wand. The CNC-Cell maintains a database of all tools in stock and on supported machines.



When the operator “Wands” a tool for machine use, only the Pocket location needs to be input into the system. All other tool data is automatically registered onto the CNC Control.



When the operator “Wands” a tool for machine removal, the system automatically deletes that tool’s data from the CNC Control.



Tool Kit Management and Tool Tracking (Option)

This CNC-Cell option provides the user a means of managing all tooling required for NC Programs. A Tool Kit iis created by having CNC-Cell scan through a NC Program file and list the tools required to run this program. Reports can be generated to aid the user in determining:



v If a tool needs to be bult

v Where all the tools reside (Machine, Stock…)

v If any machine has this complete kit

v Which tools must be added to complete the Kit (for a given machine)

v When tools can be removed from a machine



Tool Presetter Support (Option)

This option provides a interface to you Tool Presetter, allowing CNC-Cell to store Tool Preset Data directly into its system database.



Automatic Work Zero Offset Registration

The CNC-Cell maintains a database of Work Zero data. Through the CNC-Cell application, the operator can maintain Work offsets and register them on any machine in the CNC_Cell.



Part Scheduling

A flexible Part Scheduling system allows the user to define an unlimited number of unique schedules. Each schedule is broken down into two (2) levels, the Sequence (or Pert), and Operation levels. The Sequence level defines the different parts which will be made. The Operation level defines a series of operations (NC Programs) which are required to complete the part.



Each part is assigned the following:



v Job Name

v Part Number

v Quantity To Complete



Each Operation is assigned the following:



v NC Program #

v Machine To or CMM to Run The Operation

v Estimated Time To Run Operation



4 Face Fixture Support

The CNC-Cell supports fixtures having up to four faces (Tombstone Fixtures). This allows the system to handle four different parts on a single pallet.



CMM Support (Option)

Our CNC-Cell System can support CMM operations in the Part Scheduler. This allows any part operation to be inspected on a CMM after machining.



Our CNC-Cell software has been designed to work with vendor specific plug-in module so we can support the CMM System of your choice.



Material Handling System Support (Option)

The CNC-Cell System can be configured to support a pallet or part handling system. This feature allows minimal operator intervention when moving pallets or part within the Cell. If you are using the Part Scheduling function with a material handling system, the Cell can be run in Lights-Out mode.



Our CNC-Cell software has been designed to work with vendor specific plug-in module so we can support the Material Handling System of your choice.



Lights-Out Operation

“Lights-Out” refers to running a system without human intervention. If a Material handling System is configured in the Cell, a Part Schedule can be run unattended until an error occurs (Machine Tool problem), or until all available raw parts have been exhausted, or the target quantities have been met.



In this mode of operation, the CNC-Cell handles all the functions listed below:



v Delivering pallets to Machine(s)

v Uploading required NC Programs to CNC Control’s NC Memory

v Program Search, and Cycle Start Program

v Pickup pallets from Machine(s)



Event History And Performance Data

As a Part Schedule runs on the CNC-Cell, history data is stored in a database for each part and its associated operations. The following information is cataloged:



v Total cycle time

v Overall time

v Spindle on time

v Alarms



From this data, reports can be generated depicting system performance.



Network Support

The system can be connected to a LAN to access files from a Remote Host.