Connecting CNC to MES at Sirris

Customer: Sirris
Solution: HEIDENHAIN DNC Gateway

The challenge

Sirris, is a Belgian research center focused on implementing and demonstrating new industrial technologies. They have recently built a data-driven production plant which manufactures battery power banks. For every power bank produced, a digital product passport is created containing data of every manufacturing step. For the precision milling operations of the power bank a Fehlmann CNC machine, equipped with a Heidenhain iTNC530 controller, is used and Ignition is chosen as Manufacturing Execution System. However, the Ignition software does not support the Heidenhain DNC protocol that the Fehlmann CNC offers for data exchange. Without the MES integration of this CNC machine essential data for creating a digital product passport is missing.

The challenge

The goal

Sirris’ goal is to create a digital product passport for each powerbank, for which the integration of every machine, including the CNC machine, is essential. This integration ensures that crucial data such as production times, NC program execution, override settings and alarm logs are captured. In addition, machine monitoring provides benefits such as centralised alarm handling to reduce downtime and calculating KPIs for performance, availability and quality.

The goal

The solution

Reniver’s Heidenhain DNC Gateway acts as a bridge between the standalone Heidenhain CNC machine and the Ignition MES. By converting data from the CNC machine into a standardised OPC UA format, the gateway enables immediate machine data updates such as status, alarms, and production data to be captured by the MES system. This transforms the CNC machine from an isolated device to a smart, connected system that can fully integrate with Sirris’ broader production control and analysis.

Moreover, the gateway provides reinforced cyber security through encryption and certificate support, which is crucial for protecting sensitive production data.

The solution

Moreover, the gateway provides reinforced cyber security through encryption and certificate support, which is crucial for protecting sensitive production data.

The effect

Thanks to Reniver’s DNC Gateway all crucial CNC data can now be directly integrated into the MES. This enables Sirris to:

Seamlessly integrate with MES/ERP: NC data flow throughout the entire enterprise level now ensures better synchronisation between systems.
Improve lean manufacturing: Insights are now obtained into actual production times, machine status, speeds and downtime, allowing processes to be improved and production planning to be optimised.
Reduce downtime: Faults can now be responded to faster thanks to central alarm management, leading to reduced downtime.
Optimise traceability: Manufacturing times and production parameters of each product can now be accurately logged, providing better insight into production quality and improved control over the production process.

The effect

Thanks to Reniver’s DNC Gateway all crucial CNC data can now be directly integrated into the MES. This enables Sirris to:

Seamlessly integrate with MES/ERP: NC data flow throughout the entire enterprise level now ensures better synchronisation between systems.
Improve lean manufacturing: Insights are now obtained into actual production times, machine status, speeds and downtime, allowing processes to be improved and production planning to be optimised.
Reduce downtime: Faults can now be responded to faster thanks to central alarm management, leading to reduced downtime.
Optimise traceability: Manufacturing times and production parameters of each product can now be accurately logged, providing better insight into production quality and improved control over the production process.