By Dirk Euhus
ARTIS MMS Research Manager
The process monitoring systems from ARTIS provide real machining data to be entered into simulation models. In the case of new production processes, realistic simulations significantly shorten the coordination process between CAM and production. The fully-automatic Genior Modular system is particularly interesting for Twin-Control, because it automatically adjusts the alarm limits to the processing taking place. Genior Modular is easy to operate, and runs without any intervention once it has been set up. The modular and open architecture of the system enables various modules or plug-ins for additional functions to be installed without any problems.
The opportunities offered by the operating interface of the Genior Modular process monitoring system are particularly interesting in this regard. The information from the machine can be made available worldwide in real time thanks to the possibility of accessing reports on all processing operations. The functions required for this were developed in the Power-OM project which has now been completed, by making available an interface (to the KASEM system) which enables the rapid and transparent visualisation of the selected data worldwide. These findings are now also being used again for Twin-Control. The offline process recorder (OPR) of Genior Modular is also being used.
Within Twin Control, ARTIS is mainly involved in the work packages 5 and 6. The former is concerned with process monitoring, data management and preventative maintenance, whilst the latter work package deals with system integration and process control.