Equipment Connectivity Basics

Overview

DataXchange includes native protocols for many shop floor controls as well as supporting multiple industry standards.  Below is a list of common machines makes and controls, but considering the industry standard protocols and the hardware module options any type of machine or process can be monitoring to some extent.

Common Control Types

Machines with Fanuc I Series CNC Controls

DataXchange supports Fanuc FOCAS1 and FOCAS2 which is included on all new and many legacy Fanuc CNC I Series controls.  DataXchange must have an Ethernet connection to the appropriate Ethernet port that has FOCAS enabled, which is typically the EMBED or ETHER cards on the CNC control.

Siemens 840D

PowerLine Controls

Most Powerline controls are compatible with MTConnect, which Minitab will purchase from a partner.  A component of the MTConnect solution must be installed on the CNC control, some of which are Windows based and others are Linux based.  The MTConnect software must be installed on a separate PC which has access to the Powerline control over Ethernet.

SolutionLine Controls

Most Solutionline control are compatible with OPC UA provided by Siemens.  DataXchange support 3.1.4 or greater of Siemens OPC UA.  Older SolutionLine controls may need to have their version of OPC UA updated as some had older versions.   OPC UA must be licensed, from Siemens, enabled and configured on the control and verified using UA expert.

Siemens Sinumerik ONE

Sinumerik ONE controls support OPC UA.  All versions should be compatible with DataXchange.  OPC UA must be licensed from Siemens, enabled and configured on the control and verified using UA expert.

Okuma

P200, P300 and P500 controls all support MTConnect from Okuma.  The version of MTConnect will vary based on the version of the THINC API installed on the machine.  SCOUT can be run on the CNC control verify the compatible MTConnect version along with any other requirements such as the Okuma Startup Services.  Note that if the THINC API is not installed on the CNC then the Okuma distributor must be contacted to install or update the API. 

Mazak

Mazak provides MTConnect on a wide range of CNC controls.  This list can be provided by Mazak.  MTConnect must be purchased from Mazak then installed.  Depending on the CNC control MTConnect is either installed on the CNC or on a separate PC.

Smooth CNC

DataXchange also supports the Mazak Smooth API, therefore if the API is already present on the control then MTConnect does not need to be purchased.  The Smooth API must be configured with the following information for DataXchange to access the API: More Information

Heidenhain Controls

DataXchange supports the iTNC 530, 640, and the TNC 7 utilizing the Heidenhain APIs.  Machines with these  controls must have Option 18, Heidenhain DNC licensed and enabled.

Mitsubishi CNC Controls

Mitsubishi can provide MTConnect for many of the 7xx and 8xx series controls.  MTConnect must be purchased from Mitsubishi.

Citizen

Mitsubishi can provide MTConnect for many of the Citizen machines with 7xx and 8xx series Mitsubishi controls.  MTConnect must be purchased from Mitsubishi.

Haas

DataXchange has direct support for Haas NGC controls.

Hurco

Hurco support MTConnect on certain versions of WinMax. 

Zeiss CMM

Zeiss provides MTConnect in the older CMM Observer module, or OPC UA in the newer CONNECTED Telemetry solution.

Trumpf

Many Trumpf machines offer OPC UA.  OPC UA must be provided through Trumpf. 

Arburg

Many Arburg machines offer OPC UA.  OPC UA must be provided through Arburg. 

Engel

Many Engel machines offer OPC UA.  OPC UA must be provided through Engel. 

Open Protcols

MTConnect

DataXchange can connect to an MTConnect Agent to collect data from MTConnect enabled machines.

OPC UA

DataXchange includes an OPC UA Client and can pull data from OPC UA Servers.

Modbus TCP

DataXchange includes a Modbus TCP Client (Master) to request and pull data from Modbus TCP Servers (Slaves)

MQTT

DataXchange includes an MQTT Client and can communicate with brokers such as RabbitMQ and Mosquitto. 

Hardware Based

For equipment that doesn’t provide one of the supported methods above, or those methods are not feasible for any reason, DataXchange has a hardware module branded as an SRC (Status Relay Controller) that can be utilized providing both 24v discrete and 4-20 mA analog inputs.  The equipment, the process and customer goals must be evaluated to determine the appropriate method of connecting the SRC module.  This may include evaluating wiring diagrams for discrete signals, usage of discrete or analog sensors, etc. 

The SRC does not require any programming, only setting an IP address.  The customer may choose to have the installation of the SRC outsource and then the wiring of the SRC, along with any supporting hardware must be performed. 

All connectivity must be verified from the PC that will be hosting the DataXchange DX Service.