Industry Insight
The Path Towards Digitalization — Bring Your Running Shoes! By: Brian McMinn, Head of The Machine Tool Business, Siemens Industry, Inc.
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e hear the phrases — Big data, Industry 4.0, IIOT, Edge Technology and, perhaps the most imposing, The Cloud. Whether you’re a production department supervisor at an automotive manufacturer, machine tool builder, contract manufacturer or job shop, the question is always the same, though the answers are distinctly different. The question is, of course, how do we begin the journey towards the digital factory, which is surely on the horizon for all of us? The answers do vary, depending upon the type of company. For the machine builder, it’s all about managing big data from the machine, reducing time-to-market, creating smarter machines and utilizing the “digital twin” technology, one that allows not simply simulation of a machining cycle, but today represents an avenue for total development of a machine concept, machining and tooling strategies, plus data communication and instant adjustment of parameters — all in the virtual world. The good news is, this is not a pipe dream, it is a reality today, owing largely to the development of the digital native CNC, which provides machine builders that flexibility. Perhaps the best way to look at it, imagine the traditional sequence of machine concept to building and commissioning as a linear, sequential track. Today, with digital twin technology, the process is more integrated and parallel for the machine builder, as the need for myriad iterations in design are radically reduced. A collateral but very real benefit is the ability to train your customers’ machine tool programmers, operators and maintenance teams while the machine is being developed. For clarity, I’d define the smart machine as one that has the onboard software needed to capture all the process variables, communicate
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them and, most importantly, act upon their condition in real time. Lastly, seek a supplier who can bring the portfolio of hardware, software and communications to you and help develop your unique roadmap towards digitalization. It will enable you to track the performance of your entire installed base, within an industry segment or even globally. We have recently instituted a digitalization partner program who can work with machine builders directly. For the CNC machine user, be they a contract manufacturer or job shop, the answer is somewhat different. The machines on the floor do indeed need to be smarter, but the focus is on true KPIs of product cost, tool life, energy consumption, scrap reduction, OEE, achieved delivery targets, etc. Digital twin technology enables a machine shop to be IOT-ready, a tangible benefit for interfacing with your customers. Furthermore, the higher-end software embedded in the control allows real-time adjustments during machining, as the feedback
