Renishaw, a leading global engineering technologies company, has announced an update to its Renishaw Central manufacturing data platform, aiming to assist manufacturers in enhancing production efficiency and monitoring additive manufacturing (AM) performance in real-time.
The updated Renishaw Central platform utilizes feedback from sensors integrated into AM systems to collect and present machine process data from various production facilities, including AM systems. This capability enables users to monitor machine status, track executed jobs, identify errors, and take corrective actions promptly to maintain process efficiency.
With Renishaw Central, manufacturers can now capture data throughout the AM process chain and access machine and process analytics in real-time. The software offers comprehensive insights such as build traffic, job progress, and recent build history. Users have the flexibility to sort and select jobs based on various parameters such as name, number of runs passed, and number of failures.
In case of detected problems by machine sensors, Renishaw Central promptly notifies users with error messages, allowing operators to address issues promptly. Additionally, the platform provides access to time-series data, environmental insights, and the outcomes of process changes. By leveraging this data and comparing it over different periods, users can optimize production processes based on past performance.
Ben Diaz, senior product manager at Renishaw, emphasized the importance of monitoring build performance in AM processes, stating, “Unlike milling or machining, the AM process involves putting materials through phase changes, so manufacturers must keep a close eye on build performance to avoid any anomalies.”
Renishaw Central facilitates seamless data streaming, enabling users to access real-time data from AM systems, CNC machines, and other systems at a glance. The platform also offers live machine and data analytics, empowering users with insights for predictive maintenance.
The latest update to Renishaw Central complements the company’s existing Additive Manufacturing Process Monitoring (AMPM) solution, which includes visualization software tools such as InfiniAM Spectral and InfiniAM Camera. These tools allow users to monitor the part being built and the build process, respectively. The enhanced functionality of Renishaw Central enables users to remotely monitor machine performance and track the build process, further enhancing the capabilities of the AMPM suite.
Diaz highlighted the significance of Renishaw Central in providing manufacturers with a connected workflow for monitoring machine performance and gaining valuable real-time insights. The user-friendly graphic display of data ensures ease of implementation within manufacturing facilities, alongside InfiniAM Spectral and InfiniAM Camera software tools.