Advanced FMS and Robotic 3D Simulation Control Systems Provide Fast and Easy to Use Automation Software
Fastems is introducing two new software applications, MMS5 for flexible manufacturing and Fastsimu for offline robotic programming. Both greatly enhance the capabilities of today’s advanced automated material handling and processing equipment.
The new MMS5 control system takes what industry has come to expect from flexible manufacturing systems and expands the capabilities to include a factory-wide manufacturing execution system (MES) for total control over such functions as automatic warehousing, tool management and robotic cell integration. According to Mr. Richard Bodine, Fastem’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “MMS5, which we’re introducing at EMO in Hannover, is the culmination of the Company’s thirty years of experience in FMS integration. It promotes and allows for the highest level of machine utilization rates with proactive scheduling, provides for quick and easy access to all production data with a standard web browser, and gives the user an unprecedented level of usability with simplified touch screen programming.”
MMS5 user interfaces are optimized for the following different user groups:
- MMS Dashboard GUI (Graphical User Interface) for management
- MMS Data Manager GUI for supervisors
- MMS Station Commander GUI for shop-floor operators
MMS Dashboard provides a user-configurable reposting application that can also be supplied on info-screens. Users can configure the specific on-line reports they want to view. A 3D control room window can also be contained in the reporting view.
MMS Data Manager provides smart tools for production management. The work list screen displays automatically reserved machining capacity for each machine tool. A fine-planning tool creates job lists for loading stations and machine tools and also decides what tools and materials are needed during the schedule. Rescheduling takes place automatically, either when the schedule accuracy is out of its set values or per input from the supervisor.
MMS Station Commander consolidates all loading station operations within an ergonomic touch-screen operating panel. The operator has access to instructions and documentation, can see what jobs to perform during the day and can also control station movements and commit loading jobs using this single touch panel. Fastems FMS Autopilot automatically selects the optimal jobs for loading stations and machines.
“Thanks to the MMS5’s predictive scheduling,” says Mr. Bodine, “the needed resources are known well in advance. As a result, outstanding machine tool utilization rates can be reached, with the realized spindle times exceeding six thousand hours per year. MMS5 facilitates the understanding of dynamic production states by providing transparent and on-line data on all user interfaces. Better process knowledge enhances productivity and helps manage unexpected situations. MMS5 is the fastest, easiest-to-use and best-in-class automation software available to manufacturing industries today.”
Also being introduced by Fastems and shown for the first time at EMO in September is their new Fastsimu offline robotic programming system. Fastsimu is an advanced, user-friendly software application that provides unique robotic production features, especially for machining, grinding and de-burring operations. The software can be used in conjunction with 3D CAD models or by utilizing tool paths created by CAD/CAM, which makes it possible to program the robot just like any other multi-axis machine tool. Fastsimu provides several easy-to-use features for direct 3D CAD model-based programming.
Robot program simulation includes:
- Near-miss and collision inspections
- Monitoring of robot joint limits, speeds and accelerations
- Singularity detection
- Tool change simulation
- Cycle time inspection
“Fastsimu is unique Fastems software,” says Mr. Bodine. “It is based on 3DCreate and has been developed to enhance our line of RoboFMS products. Essentially, Fastsimu allows you to fully simulate a cell before you spend any money or even before a final part design is determined.”
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