Greater Efficiency: Thanks to Digital Assistance systems in machine tools

By OEM Update Editorial April 4, 2023 12:31 pm IST

In the private sphere, digital assistance and communication systems have become indispensable. In a professional environment, even outside of the office, supporting systems are increasingly gaining equal status. As a machine tool manufacturer, the UNITED GRINDING Group offers digital products that not only make work easier for its customers but also save time and money.

What makes working on machines in an industrial facility easier? “That I can get help quickly and easily when the machine stops” could be the answer from a machine operator. A maintenance employee may say, ” I have an overview of all upcoming maintenance tasks and thus no longer miss any important schedules”. The answer from the production manager might be, “I can also see whether all the machines in my production are running when I’m on the road.”

Different user groups have varying demands on modern production. As one of the world’s leading machine tool manufacturers, the UNITED GRINDING Group offers digital assistance systems that make work easier for various user groups.

Remote Service

Remote Service offers uncomplicated and fast assistance, for example, in the event of machine downtime. By triggering a Service Request, customers can request quick and uncomplicated help by pressing a button. This service request can be submitted by the customer via a smartphone and the corresponding Digital Solutions app or via the Customer Cockpit. With a machine equipped with the modern C.O.R.E. technology, this is now even possible directly on the machine. In addition, a video conference can be conducted via the integrated camera in the C.O.R.E. panel. This again significantly increases the benefit provided by service support. The whiteboard function also makes sharing drawings, and notes on pictures or documents easy. This way, the Customer Care Team can assist remotely, saving time and money.

Service Monitor

The Service Monitor relieves those responsible for maintenance by clearly displaying all the important maintenance tasks based on the current machine’s operating hours. The Service Cockpit can even be used to centrally manage, monitor, and document maintenance due dates for several connected machines. Only necessary maintenance work is displayed. Unnecessary work is thus avoided. On the other hand, the necessary work that ensures the smooth operation of a machine is not forgotten. And thanks to this optimal maintenance and care, the availability and working life of the machine are increased, which in turn has a positive effect on productivity.

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Production managers can monitor the production output of the machinery at any time using the Production Monitor. Production benchmarks, such as operating and non-productive times, production quantities, and downtimes, are displayed in real-time. The latest version also supports the global communication standard umati UA4MT (Universal Machine Technology Interface for Machine Tools). Not only machines from the UNITED GRINDING Group but also machines from other manufacturers can be easily integrated into the Production Monitor—from anywhere and at any time—thanks to the Digital Solution App. This overview makes it possible to discover optimization potential in the production and operation of the machines.

Growing Importance of Digitization

UNITED GRINDING Digital Solutions™ products were presented to an interested audience at the MECSPE 2023 trade show in Bologna. As a result of the Corona pandemic, the overall importance of digital assistance systems has increased noticeably. Remote solutions were the only way to stay in contact with customers and provide assistance during lockdown periods. During this phase, UNITED GRINDING had more than 2,500 remote deployments worldwide. The trend towards flexible working models and working from home or on the road has also driven the demand for app-based solutions. Digital assistance systems are already an indispensable part of everyday production, and demand will continue to rise. The UNITED GRINDING Group is continuously expanding the functionalities of its current products and constantly adding to its range of digital solutions.

You can find more information here: https://www.grinding.ch/en/digitalization/