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Guide to Connectivity Readiness: Pre-Connectivity Checklist

Integration
  • Updated

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to ensure that you and your team are fully informed of all the necessary requirements for a successful MM installation. Before we schedule a time for your connectivity services, this document should be reviewed by the individuals in charge of your IT infrastructure, machine controls, machine maintenance, and facilities.

*Please note: We strongly advise that you hold an internal meeting with all concerned parties to review this document in detail. Please bring any questions or concerns to the attention of your MachineMetrics Account Executive before finalizing a time for connectivity services. 

Contents of this article:

Section 1: Your Network

Section 2: Your Machines

Section 3: What's Next?

 

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Section 1: Your Network

There are three primary methods of connecting your machines to the MachineMetrics platform: Wireless, wired, or cellular. Review each of the documents below to determine which method of connectivity is right for your shop.

  • Preferred Connectivity: Wireless

    Machines connected wirelessly will require a wifi-enabled edge device to be installed in each machine. A wireless connection affords you the flexibility to move Machines and avoid the labor of running and maintaining ethernet cable.

  • Preferred Connectivity: Wired

    Machines connected to a wired network require network drops (CAT5, CAT6) at each machine. This method of connectivity saves you the ‘per machine’ cost of the edge device hardware that you would otherwise need to purchase for a wireless connection

  • Preferred Connectivity: Cellular

    As an optional method, MachineMetrics connectivity can be completely separated from your network by purchasing internet access from a local provider through a cellular modem or access point.

 

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Section 2: Your Machines

MachineMetrics has many different ways of collecting data from your machines. How we go about data collection is entirely dependent on the unique features and limitations of each machine and its control. Age, control, make, and model all factor into a machine’s capabilities. Based on the information provided in your Factory Assessment Sheet, your machines will be integrated through the connectivity method(s) listed below. Please read through this section carefully, as many data collection methods require that you enable certain functionalities on your controls, or prepare your equipment for our arrival in other ways. 

FANUC FOCAS:

FOCAS is the standard protocol for collecting data from FANUC Controls, and is one of the most frequent connectivity methods employed by MachineMetrics. Please review the article below for detailed information on FANUC FOCAS.

MTConnect:

MTConnect is an open-source standard for collecting data from manufacturing equipment. The MTConnect standard is utilized worldwide and enables manufacturing equipment to provide data in structured XML rather than proprietary formats. It is one of the most commonly encountered standards that MachineMetrics uses to connect to machines.  

Digital I/O:

On older machines not capable of modern data sharing protocols, an I/O connectivity will be necessary. The I/O integration requires the installation of the MachineMetrics I/O Module which reads data from sensors and electrical signals from your machine. 

HAAS Serial

Certain HAAS machines are capable of sharing data to MachineMetrics through the machine's RS-232 Serial port. This type of integration requires the installation of a serial-to-ethernet converter.

HAAS Next Gen:

The newest version of HAAS control is capable of sharing data to MachineMetrics through the machine's ethernet port. 

Citizen with M700 Controls:

If your Citizen machine has an M700 series control, it can most likely share data with MachineMetrics through the machine's ethernet port. 

Siemens Sinumerik 840D Controls:

If your machine has a Sinumerik 840D Control, it may be possible to share data to MachineMetrics through the machine's ethernet port. This type of integration requires installation and configuration of the OPC-UA Server option. 

Heidenhain:

Certain Heidenhain machine models may be capable of sharing data with MachineMetrics through the machine's ethernet port. This type of integration requires Option 18 to be enabled on your machine. Please contact support@machinemetrics if you are interested in integrating your Heidenhain machine with MachineMetrics.

OPC-UA:

Certain machines are capable of sharing data using the machine communication protocol, OPC-UA. Contact a representative from the machine manufacturer to find out if your machine has OPC-UA. 

Ethernet IP:

Ethernet IP if a widely used industrial protocol. If your machine is capable of transmitting data via Ethernet IP, this may be the best way to communicate machine data to MachineMetrics. Contact a representative from the machine manufacturer to find out if your machine has Ethernet IP.

 

MODBUS:

If your machine or PLC is capable of transmitting data using the data communications protocol "MODBUS", it may be used to communicate machine data to MachineMetrics. Contact a representative from the machine manufacturer to find out if your machine communicates with MODBUS.

What's Next? 

To understand the typical implementation phase when working with MachineMetrics, review our Getting Started with MachineMetrics article.

Additional Resources:

Guide to Hardware by Integration Type

Data Standards & Requirements for Machine Connectivity 

 

Have Questions?

Reach out to Support@machinemetrics.com for more information.

 

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