Manufacturing Technology

More than ever, a simple overview of process key figures is an important data basis for production, which is why EWMenn – the technology leader that has been shaping the industry for over 111 years – has continued its reputation for new solutions regarding the production of threaded and profiled parts, with the development of digital iQ-machine assistants.

With the digital iQ-machine assistants, EWMenn reports that it is supporting its customers in the optimal production of threaded or profiled parts. The digital iQ-machine assistants are characterised by simple operation, fast and repeatable set-up, as well as by an overview of effectiveness and resources used.

“Effective set-up and high quantities, with consistently excellent quality and minimal use of resources, are the drivers of the developments,” explains Hendrik Scharf, technical director at EWMenn GmbH & Co KG.

In the current series, all machines also have the Prevent & Support feature as standard for a long service life and high value preservation through regular maintenance. Upcoming maintenance work is conveniently displayed and visually explained to the operator. Completed maintenance work can also be easily confirmed. A transparent overview is always ensured for maintenance thanks to the archiving and display of maintenance work carried out.

If the machine is equipped with linear motorised positioning of the feedfinger, in short an LMP-Feedfinger, the LMP Assist function is also included as standard. With this function, the machine operator is effectively guided on the machine touch panel to a setting that ensures precise, fast and gentle insertion of the blanks.

To add to this there is also the iQ-Setup Assist, this function enables an even more precise and faster preparation of the machine. Almost without tools, the system allows product specific settings to be adopted by push-button. Articles and their specific settings can be saved in the database and are continuously compared. The machine operator is effectively supported during the set-up process by displaying the target and actual values. Transparent work processes are also ensured. Digital displays, for example on the die basket, provide directional information and visualise the set values – user-friendly with signal colours. Process optimisations can be implemented very easily with this system and deviations from article specific set-up parameters that have already been made are always indicated.

Key figures for the process evaluation

Today more than ever, a simple overview of process key figures is an important data basis for the production. The EWMenn iQ-machine assistants have been developed specifically for this purpose.

For instance, the iQ-OEE Monitor creates a bundled performance overview of the overall equipment effectiveness. The degree of utilisation, quality factor and performance factor are displayed. This function is therefore ideal for evaluating equipment effectiveness and for technological process evaluation. Data from the latest machine generation can also be easily transmitted to a company network in conjunction with a compatible data collection system via an OPC UA interface that can be configured on request.

The iQ-Energy Monitor provides a further central overview of the current and total electrical and pneumatic energy consumption during the machine operation. This machine assistant evaluates the energy consumption per article, batch or operating time, as needed, to make costs more calculable or to make the product specific footprint recordable.

The displayed and bundled performance overview is therefore ideally suited for a technological and process-based evaluation, so that process optimisations can be identified and energy saving potentials can be deduced in terms of sustainability support.