A how-to-guide on adding operational data to MDCplus

By entering relevant data to MDCplus software, businesses can track operational progress, get oversight of their products, parts and technical procedures, and accordingly produce analytical reports to reflect the same.

Image 1: Parts production journal

Image 2: Technological operations execution journal

For example, by using the MDCplus tool, one can determine the length of time a procedure takes to complete and compare this against ideal production time. Checks will then need to be made as to whether operators are using 100 % spindle speed and feed correctors. If the correctors are being regularly utilized to 100 % capacity, it possible that the materials are more robust than the machines are able to process, or the NC-programs have spindle speed and feed rates that are not suitable for the production of these specific parts. The software will also provide insight into the procedures each operator has completed, and the length of time taken, allowing one to determine if longer productions times are an exception among operators, or are common-place.

Image 3: Spindle speed and feed correctors

Technological procedures can also be added to a specific machine operator’s tasks. NC-programs can be linked to operations with the NC-program management module. As such, if you are using the Production Monitoring Module (PMM) to it’s full potential, there is very little possibility that an operator selects the wrong technical procedure or NC-program.
Thanks to the MDCplus client application, one can enter all the relevant information concerning your products, parts and technical procedures.

Image 4: List of products

Image 5: Parts of the product

Image 6: Technological operations for selected part

For PMM to function, it is necessary to correctly input the organizational and technological procedures of a particular enterprise.
For each technological operation, it is required that you specify the information on the type of the operation, ideal actual production time (APT), distribution by machines, and so on.

Image 7: Settings for technological operations

Comparing actual production time and ideal production time will give you a clear overview of your enterprise’s current levels of productivity. The P factor in default OEE calculations is calculated using actual production times – optimum time per piece vs real production time. Therefore, inputting data concerning products, parts and technical procedures will help produce more accurate OEE calculations.
While using MDCplus, machine operations can be set in three ways:

1. A technical procedure can be selected by the machine operator from the monitoring console or the monitoring panel (MP) using the keyboard or barcode scanner.

   Image 8: Selecting technological operation in CMP 2.0

2. A technical operation can be determined automatically if the CNC Unit transmits the name of the control unit to MDCplus, and this operation has been “linked” to the control unit.
3. A technical operation can be selected by the user manually from MDCplus. It can be completed in the "Parts production journal".

   Image 9: Selecting technologial operation in “Parts production journal”

As you can see, inputting information about products, parts and technical procedures to MDCplus opens up many possibilities for monitoring your production. Combine Production Monitoring Module with NC-program management module, and you will get detailed information on what’s happening on the shop floor, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of using incorrect NC-programs.

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