Raw data are like the random ingredients in your fridge the day before grocery shopping — they don’t go together to make anything anyone wants. Data need context; they need to be translated and combined correctly to make them digestible. Manufacturers can implement simple and inexpensive tools to help them process, visualize, and use data. During a “Tom and Lonnie Chat” (TLC) podcast, Dr. Tom Kurfess of Georgia Tech and Dr. Lonnie Love of Sandia National Laboratory highlighted a recent intern project that used MTConnect and Microsoft Excel to create a powerful machine monitoring tool. MTConnect is a set of open, royalty-free data standards intended to foster greater interoperability between machine tools, devices, and applications. While interning at Georgia Tech with Dr. “Cyber Kyle” Saleeby, Matt Kasmala, who is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in computer science at NC State University, built a machine monitoring tool that is free to use and easy to implement. Before showcasing the tool, Kasmala emphasized that companies must have the proper cybersecurity protections in place prior to connecting computers or machine tools to the internet. If your cybersecurity is not up to par, Saleeby recommends using secure networking hardware to connect machine tools and PCs. To implement the new tool, users only need a machine tool that is MTConnect-compatible, a connection between the machine tool and a PC (whether through a network or Ethernet), and Microsoft Excel. The materials needed to get started and detailed instructions are included on Georgia Tech’s Manufacturing Institute’s GitHub channel. The Excel spreadsheet is outfitted with a simple Python script that reads data off a CNC machine. The script has been tested on several types of machine tools, and the setup information includes specifications. The front-end of the Excel spreadsheet includes a practical dashboard — allowing users to effortlessly visualize and track machine usage and status. The data dashboard makes it simple to pinpoint problems with productivity and make necessary adjustments. Tools like this make digital manufacturing achievable without a massive budget or a Ph.D. on staff. Embracing digital manufacturing is increasingly a necessity for manufacturing firms. “If you are not moving toward digital manufacturing, you are going to get left behind,” Dr. Love explains. “If you are a small or medium-sized enterprise, you should be crawling, walking, and then running to digital manufacturing. Start by understanding the impact it can have on your profitability and productivity.” Using tools to make data digestible is the first step toward enhancing productivity and feeding the bottom line. Get ready for a data feast! Gain insight and tips for your manufacturing business by listening to their podcasts at IMTS.com/TLC.
Machine monitoring tools can be simple and inexpensive — and they can transform your shop’s productivity. Tune into the most recent “Tom and Lonnie Chat” to get help from our favorite engineers.
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