Fives Machining Systems (DCS) connects machines in the field to Fives technicians.
Fives Machining Systems has announced a new (DCS) featuring secure CNC screen-sharing for troubleshooting with company experts. The new remote diagnostics capability enables machine operators to overcome many stoppages in most cases. "In 30 to 40% of cases, we can solve a customer's problem or point them to the solution, without the delay for on-site service," said Wade Blain, Project Engineer, Fives Giddings & Lewis. "It increases customer uptime, and if a repair is needed, the diagnostic process allows us to ship the correct parts in advance so the service person can start work immediately on arrival."
DCS is now standard on all new Cincinnati and Giddings & Lewis machine tools and composite system. It is also available as a system upgrade for installed machines with PC-based HMI on FANUC, Siemens and Heidenhain controls. The enabling software, TeamViewer, establishes an encrypted, password-protected connection to the customer's CNC over a VPN (virtual private network). A new and unique password is generated by TeamViewer for each session. Legacy CNCs can access diagnostic service using a connected laptop to run TeamViewer software.
"An advantage is that we can have several of our factory technicians from different departments simultaneously logged into a customer's machine to ensure we have the right expertise to handle most any problem," said Blain. "We can examine active alarms and operator messages, operator and alarm histories, control parameter settings, PLC programs and the state of devices such as solenoids, switches and encoders. Even without a fault message, we may be able to step the customer through to a solution. We can do audio and video sessions, too, if the customer has a webcam."
"TeamViewer software is an established IT industry tool for high-security remote maintenance of data processing systems in government and highly sensitive businesses. It is in use on 200 million computers worldwide," said a TeamViewer GmbH spokesperson.
For more information contact:
Fives Giddings & Lewis, LLC
A subsidiary of Fives Machining Systems, Inc.
142 Doty Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-921-9400
www.fivesgroup.com