 |
        
|
|
|
    
|
|
|
|
What is DNC Software?
DNC software is the instructional part of a machine-control data communications system. The acronym "DNC " refers to either Distributed Numerical Control, where NC programs are passed to one or more Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines, or Direct Numeric Control, where programs are run directly from a host computer.
Conceptually, a DNC software system allows centralized process control management for one or more numerically controlled (NC) machines or robots. The machines are typically connected to common routing points through a hard-wired or wireless network. Control for each machine (or group of machines) is handled through network nodes via a series of dedicated software applications.
DNC software is mission critical — it can make or break a manufacturing enterprise. And, the DNC hardware and interconnecting network are just as fundamentally important. Nevertheless, good DNC software is the key control component.
A good DNC system offers many advantages over the traditional approach of one-on-one, manually-operated remote process control. For example, a single operator can quickly load CNC programs into multiple machines from one location. Programs can be edited and replaced instantly, then stored for future use. Updated and/or modified programs can be created for one-off applications without disrupting other operations already in progress. And, full supervisory and real-time display capabilities give a single remote operator the ability to control dozens, even hundreds of machines simultaneously.
A quality DNC software application offers dedicated machine management, process tracking, real-time displays, editing, logging of NC operations, archiving and many other necessary capabilities. It should also be able to operate on a PC desktop and/or a touch-screen monitor (as is common in many shop floor environments). Thus, good DNC software provides not only the functionality and capabilities necessary for productive, efficient manufacturing, it also provides scalability to meet the requirements of small shops, full-scale manufacturing plants and everything in between.
Which DNC Software is Right For Us?
Wonderware has served the manufacturing software needs of companies in the discrete manufacturing industry for over 15 years with reliable Distributed Numeric Control software and hardware products. During this time, Wonderware's software products have continued to evolve to address a broad range of manufacturing issues.
Our customers frequently find that starting with a simple and affordable DNC package offers an unmatched software growth path. Many Wonderware customers begin with a basic DNC installation, then later expand the system to include the Wonderware Factelligence® modules for Machine Monitoring, Labor Tracking, Statistical Process Control, Paperless Manufacturing, and many other types of MES production applications.
Wonderware DNC Professional is an ideal choice for any facility planning to purchase or upgrade to our fully-integrated Factelligence for Shops™ Manufacturing Execution System (MES) package. Wonderware DNC Professional makes retrofitting software components and buying expensive replacements a thing of the past — our modules work in complete harmony, The proven efficiency of the graphical interface provides full DNC capabilities with minimal disruption of existing production operations. Wonderware's DNC software takes full advantage of the power and performance of a 32-bit multi-threaded environment. It includes configurable security, open network capability, document management (features not usually found in other DNC systems) and many other advanced features.
Wonderware offers a wide range of DNC software products. Discrete modules are designed to be easy to use and have been engineered to run on your existing PCs, with or without a network. Choose the product(s) or suite that best suits your applications. Wonderware's DNC software components include:
Wonderware Factelligence® is Wonderware's flagship software product for unified manufacturing intelligence. It offers an out-of-the-box, configurable software solution for companies looking to prepare their factories for growth in make-to-order, lean, outsourced, or collaborative manufacturing.
Wonderware Factelligence is designed specifically for MES (Manufacturing Execution System) production and automated process control applications. It is the foundation of our Collaborative Manufacturing Suite and is available with integrated modules for Business Intelligence, MES, HMI/SCADA and SPC. It integrates seamlessly with all DNC software applications running at the shop floor level and can be adapted to virtually any conceivable set of process control requirements.
Wonderware Factelligence for Shops is a configurable shop floor DNC software system. It is particularly well-suited for manufacturers interested in machine monitoring, reducing machine downtime, measuring OEE, increasing production efficiency and reducing scrap.
Wonderware Factelligence for Shops includes an unparalleled set of features. Wonderware Factelligence for Shops' scalability and modular design allows it to be deployed in a small machine shop or in a large multi-site manufacturing enterprise. Both basic DNC functions and numerous advanced software features are at the core of Factelligence for Shops, providing a seamless upgrade path from simple DNC operations all the way up to fully integrated, enterprise-level manufacturing and process control.
Wonderware DNC Professional™ is a robust software solution capable of integrating with both hard-wired and wireless DNC systems. It is no accident that Wonderware's DNC software has become the industry standard — its architecture, user interfaces, scalability and adaptability have all set new records for performance, reliability and efficiency. Our DNC software is used all over the world by small shops, mid-scale manufacturing enterprises and Fortune 100 corporations.
Wonderware DNC Professional™ software is adaptable to the smallest job shops up to large, fully networked facilities. It's therefore important to keep environmental objectives in mind. Wonderware DNC Professional excels in shops equipped with NC (Numerical Control) and/or CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tools. It runs either on a standalone PC or on a server connected through a LAN. And, it can be installed quickly with minimal disruption to production activities.
Wonderware's DNC software saves time and money by allowing programmatic tracking and management of manual, semi-automated and fully-automated production processes. Efficiency benefits through drag-and-drop file transfer capabilities, program editing, remote request, document viewing, and the most intuitive user interfaces to be found anywhere. These are just some of the reasons our Wonderware DNC Professional software has become the benchmark against which all other software systems are measured.
Our software Configurator is a standard component of our Wonderware DNC Professional software system. Wonderware engineered Configurator to provide the greatest flexibility in configuring CNC communications. Configurator allows you to define how you transmit data to your machine tools. It also gives you the ability to create many user-defined protocols. You may also set up passwords for every person who is going to use the system. Configurator can store over 16,000 different machine configurations for uploading and downloading, and allows you to easily set up users, user groups, machines and machine groups to manage your shop more efficiently.
The Wonderware DNC Professional Controller software module allows a machine tool operator to manage downloads and uploads of NC programs. Multiple graphical interfaces provide flexibility and allow direct control of the DNC system. The standard mouse and keyboard interface provides access to all DNC software features, The Big Buttons interface is designed to be used with a touch-screen monitor (though it can also be used in conjunction with the keyboard and mouse).
Wonderware DNC Communicator is the DNC Server module of DNC Professional. It runs on PCs connected to machine tools through multiport serial cards or serial hubs.
The Communicator provides unmatched versatility. Uploads and downloads can be initiated through the Controller through Wonderware DNC Professional's user interface, or through remote requests from the CNC controls.
CIMNED32 is a standard component of Wonderware DNC Professional, allowing editing and comparing of NC programs. Real-time situations may call for on-the-fly adaptation of machine instructions. CIMNED32 highlights each row in a program to clearly show where the machine and file programs are different. CIMNED32 allows complete NC program editing features including, copy, move, search, re-sequence, Math operations and bookmarking.
The optional Graphics Viewer provides capabilities for viewing over 190 DNC file formats including CAD files, word processor files, spreadsheets, scanned images, software instructions and more.
You can also use any of a series of built-in work tools such as redlining, scaling and printing to keep all your process documents current and accurate.
Folders Lite is an optional DNC software component that is essentially an electronic traveler system. It gives operators immediate access to parts programs, drawings, notes and multimedia. It allows you to build an electronic traveler that can be accessed on the shop floor through the operator's interface. All of the processes involved for a particular job such as parts programs, spec sheets, tooling diagrams, routings, clamping diagrams, etc., are built into folders. Each folder is defined by part number, operation number, machine center and revision. These are all made available to the operator for immediate access.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|