Renishaw Central, the smart manufacturing data platform connects multiple machines and devices across the shop floor.
Renishaw will exhibit its new product, Renishaw Central, at EMO Hannover 2023. The manufacturing connectivity and data platform aims to transform the capability, efficiency, and productivity of manufacturing operations.
Key information:
- Renishaw Central collects accurate, actionable data on machines, parts, and processes from across the factory. The system then presents it centrally for insight and interrogation.
- The new manufacturing connectivity and data platform provides shop connectivity and allows the user to monitor and update machining and quality control systems.
- Renishaw aims for its new product to transform the capability, efficiency, and productivity of manufacturing operations.
Renishaw Central works to increase connectivity to the shop floor, while also promoting confidence, control, and consistency. With this increased connectivity, Renishaw’s new product will collect accurate, actionable data on machines, parts, and processes from across the factory, with data presented centrally for insight and interrogation.
Additionally, manufacturers will be able to harness end-to-end process data and develop factory-wide system architecture. Data collected by Renishaw Central can be passed to tools including Microsoft Power BI via APIs, which can then go on to be used in process control applications.
“The Renishaw Central concept was born out of our own need to digitalise, visualise and control the manufacturing and measurement processes within our own production facilities. We wanted to reduce assumptions when problem-solving, and facilitate the adoption of automated process control,” said Guy Brown, Renishaw Central Development Manager. “Because we live and breathe many of the same challenges faced by our customers, we’re confident that we’ve created a digital solution capable of driving actionable data across machining shop floors everywhere.”
Using its Intelligent Process Control (IPC) software, Renishaw Central can update its manufacturing process parameters. It also has the ability to monitor and update machining and quality control systems. The platform features increased automated solutions and processes as it hosts the ability to predict, identify, and correct process errors.
“Our original aim for Renishaw Central was to introduce further automation for lathes using our IPC technology, and this is progressing well. But an unexpected and positive outcome has been Renishaw Central's ability to highlight and rank unplanned stoppages of our automation systems,” said Brown. “Analysis of this information has guided remedial actions, leading to a 69% reduction in automation stoppages and significant improvements in utilisation.”
During the design and development stage, Renishaw deployed its new platform in its manufacturing facilities at Miskin and Stonehouse, with both sites reporting a reduction in unplanned machine downtime. Additionally, a selection of customers was chosen to pilot Renishaw Central, who went on to report an improvement in the manufacturing process due to the standardised end-to-end data.