Another FANUC app that records manual interaction is
CNC Edit Log, which notes who modified machine data or
made changes to a program. This helps to make the
production much more efficient, as all programming steps
and their effects can be closely monitored.
Apps, both FANUC’s and those from partner companies,
can be downloaded from the FIELD system App Store to run
on the Edge hardware. The FIELD system App Store is due
to launch during Q4 this year. FIELD is also open to be
connected to MES or ERP systems, allowing maintenance
to be planned, permitting it to be undertaken ahead of any
equipment failure.
As far as FANUC equipment is concerned, anything from
the year 2000 can be connected to FIELD, with its data
harvested. That data can be controlled to that which is
relevant, as can be the sample rate. To support connection
to other equipment, FIELD supports OPC UA and
MTConnect, while a software development kit (SDK) can be
employed by third-party companies to develop a
converter or connector to take data into FIELD’s
common database.
“We have the FIELD system installed in our
local offices where we’re already testing it,
learning about the data, seeing how we can use
that data, but also how to train our employees,
because when we take it to the market we want to
know how the system works and how to support it
before we introduce a system,” Taylor says, alluding to
FANUC’s motto of ‘Service First’.
FIELD is, of course, being used in FANUC’s Japanese
production plant, but it is additionally deployed in some
unnamed pilot plants in Japan, he reveals. The company is
looking to set up pilot plants with Europe-based customers
to further understand industrial needs and benefits. These,
Taylor says, will commence this year.
In the round, in delivering FIELD to industry, FANUC will
work with partners that provide app development, device
development, network integration and system integration to
provide an inclusive shopfloor eco-system that maximises
equipment uptime. ■
LEAD FEATURE GATHERING DATA IN THE FIELD
Artificial intelligence developments
Some FIELD apps include AI capability, but FANUC is also employing this
directly within its equipment to improve uptime, speed up machining
processes and improve part quality. In the UK’s Made Smarter Review
published in 2017, within the benefits attributed to digital technologies
across a decade for the UK, one is a 70% reduction in machinery breakdown,
but the review doesn’t put a figure on AI’s benefit as regards process
improvement, an area where FANUC and others are additionally active.
Alluding to such benefits, a PWC 2018 report says: “Labour productivity
improvements are expected to account for over 50% of all GDP gains related
to AI over the period 2017-2030”. And, overall, PWC says: “Global GDP could
be up to 14% higher in 2030 as a result of AI – the equivalent of up to
$15.7trn, more than the current output of China and India combined.” AI is a
big deal and will increasingly become more so. FANUC’S AI offerings include:
● Smart Feed Axis Acceleration/ Deceleration function determines the
actual moment of inertia of the workpiece during operation and
adjusts the optimal acceleration of the servo motor. As a
workpiece gets lighter, higher accelerations are possible;
● Servo Learning Oscillation is a software function for
turning, enabling prolonged, automated operation. This
allows the tool to oscillate, reducing chip size and so
preventing long chip coils entangling the tool;
● Edge Analysing Unit can be fitted to any FANUCcontrolled
machine and sees the synchronous recording
of CNC and sensor data. Comparing this with target data
makes preventive maintenance possible. A software option
‘AI Servo Monitoring’ analyses and evaluates work spindle
data, but FANUC has expanded this so that all machine
servo-drives and drive assemblies can be captured.
Artificial Intelligence compares the recorded data with a
normality score and proposes suitable maintenance
measures where adjustable threshold values are
exceeded;
● The company’s α-C800iB wire-cut EDM featured new enhanced AI Thermal
Compensation function (initially released in 2017), supported by thermal
sensors measuring ambient temperature. No quantified improvements were
claimed for this upgrade. Robodrill machines also feature AI Thermal
Compensation;
● AI Error Proofing function is designed for part inspection and employs
machine learning technology. FANUC robots equipped with the new function
can check and determine whether a part is good or bad, based on example
images of good and bad parts. It is implemented directly on a FANUC robot
controller as part of FANUC’s integrated vision system – iRVision;
● An existing FIELD app that employs AI is ‘AI Bin Picking’. This deep
learning-based application enables FANUC’s robot bin-picking system to learn
the picking order automatically and reduces lengthy manual set-up. A higher
pick success rate is also achieved, with further improvement possible by
employing a deep learning-trained model for each workpiece type. At EMO,
this was shown fitted to a robot that was serving two Robodrill vertical
machining centres, one with high speed rotary table, supported by a
collaborative robot mounted on an automated guided vehicle. The cell
simulated the machining of watch components.
FANUC’s cloud
development
FANUC is to develop a Digital Utility Cloud service
together with two major Japanese tech companies,
Fujitsu and NTT Communications. The service is
scheduled to launch in April 2020, for Japanese
customers initially.
The Digital Utility Cloud Service will expand the
functionality of the FIELD system further, as selected
FIELD system-collected data can then be managed
within a safe cloud environment.
Not much to
look at; this is a
FIELD Base Pro
Edge processing unit
12 December 2019 www.machinery.co.uk @MachineryTweets
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