Real-time monitoring, analysis, optimization and testing of production systems – the Bihler Digital App allows users to get the very best out of their manufacturing capabilities. This is just as true of the basic package as it is of the application’s versatile add-on modules, which have shown their value in practical use.
More and more Bihler customers are now using the Bihler Digital App. This is a plug & play solution that is ready for use without any programming and which currently consists of the “basic package” with machine overview and dashboard as well as the four modules: “Analysis”, “Offline VC 1”, “Job management” and “Animation”. With the basic package, customers get a clearly laid-out, real-time presentation of their own Bihler machines, even if they do not possess their own machine management system, and can see immediately whether a system is currently producing or whether a malfunction might have occurred,” explains Bastian Hartmann from Customer Sales Support. “They can access the relevant system via the integrated dashboard and query its detailed status.” The basic package is now also available for machines with a VC1-E controller.
Analysis and testing
The modules of the Bihler Digital App can be used as and when required and build on the basic package. They include the Analysis module, which displays the production stoppages and messages recorded by the controller. “This often shows that the most frequent malfunctions don’t necessarily correspond to the most serious anomalies,” says Hartmann. “In this way, the analysis can make an important contribution to improving the system’s performance or, more generally, to taking
advantage of the potentials for optimization.” The Offline VC 1 module has also been particularly well received in the day-to-day working environment. With this, all users are able to prepare new programs or tools offline – without having to go to the actual system or interrupt production. “It is often used to make production-related adaptations in response to changing customer requirements and also to store and update multimedia contents as user aids,” reports Hartmann. At the same time, many companies also use the module for training purposes in order to familiarize their employees with the VC 1 controller.”
Management and animation
The Job Management module also delivers considerable added value, in particular for users without MRP-machine integration. It allows these users to set up jobs together with all the relevant key figures, manage them and then feed them into the production environment without the need for any paperwork. All the jobs are stored and can be reproduced at any time. Last but not least, the Animation module is particularly valuable. It permits a virtual depiction of the machine and manufacturing process in the form of an animation. Hartmann explains: “It is possible, for example, to store the wear limit for a die in the animation and couple this with an associated video explaining the steps necessary in order to replace the part.” Overall, therefore, the Bihler Digital App provides significant value-added in everyday use. The app is continuously updated and extended to include new features and functions.
Ideal tool for more productivity
The Bihler Digital App has proven itself in practice, for example at Metalltechnik Annaberg GmbH & Co. KG. The company uses the app for its Bihler GRM-NC, GRM 80P, GRM 80E and RM 40K systems. “We find that the dashboard showing the live status of the system is particularly valuable and saves us a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. We can see immediately from our desks whether or not the system is currently producing, how long the current item still has to run and when the next change of variant is due,” says Eric Nagel from the Bihler Project Implementation unit. “We were also able to integrate our Bihler systems with VC1-E controller into the dashboard without difficulty.” At the same time, the company also uses the Offline VC 1 module for its training activities. “Using this, one of our employees was able to operate a Bihler system all by himself in a matter of just a few hours,” says Nagel. “For us, the Bihler Digital App is therefore the ideal tool for increasing productivity and optimizing machine management.
