Software without the system tie-in
Software underpins efficient production but often comes with a tie-in to a specific system. That’s unless your machinery manufacturer has created its own platform.
There are advantages to scale. FOM joined forces with Graf Synergy back in December 2016 to form the FOM-GS Group – but even before, the aluminium specialist was a heavyweight player in machinery manufacture.
This scale – and heritage – has driven a design philosophy with FOM owning each and every element of the machinery manufacturing process, and the tools that support fabricators in optimising through-life performance.
“FOM doesn’t outsource anything. That means that from electronics to software development, systems are fully integrated, contributing to a very high level of performance, and the reliability, efficiencies and commercial advantages that go with it,” Paul Yeo, regional sales manager for the Promac Group, said
“The software is made to work with the hardware and vice versa. This brings new precision to manufacture but also the flexibility to switch between systems, maximising return.”
FOM’s software offer is ProF2. Tailorable according to the scale of its customers’ operations, it supports the complete manufacture process from design, U-value calculations and CE labelling, through to order management and pricing. It also supports warehouse management, automatically generating stock orders as product is used.
“There’s a very smart front-end interface, which allows the operator to design frames in a CAD environment, offering internal and external views, while a 3D view highlights all of the details of the frame including machining, and which can be exported in a DXF or DWG format,” Paul said.
“It also shows the projected U-value, lists profiles and glass.
“It’s the efficiencies that sit behind the ProF2, which are, however, even more impressive. This includes detailed analysis of manufacturing times and material costs, which give you visibility of your overheads and the insight to optimise process and price effectively.”
With more a thousand profiles registered within its library, ProF2 gives manufacturers access to instant resource without the system company tie-in. With accurate data on all leading profiles instantly downloadable and supported by a technical team, Paul argues ProF2 is as close to a ‘plug-in and play’ software solution as manufacturing comes to.
“The FOM ProF2 database is immense and continually updated, so the information is always at your fingertips and always current,” he said. “The beauty of the whole thing is that it’s already optimised for FOM machinery platforms, there is no finding your way. It’s a ready solution.”
This is where, according to Promac, ProF2 comes into its own. This includes literal and metaphorical cutting-edge process to optimise cutting and machining of bar length.
“For example, the ProF2 software is constantly working to help you maximise your outputs and minimise cost including multiple bar lengths, short cuts, reversibility, batching and optimum bar length; you’re guaranteed the best cutting sequence,” Paul said.
“The other thing that it does is the ProF2 connects your production process. It’s created by FOM but integrates with the platforms of selected other machinery manufacturers including Emmegi and Elumatec.
“It covers all of the work phases from welding, to polishing, to automatic assembly benches through the generation of a single bar code.”
This by definition also simplifies the manufacturing process, supporting fabricators, and particularly those in aluminium fabrication in maximising return in what remains a growth market.
FOM is also at the forefront of aluminium ‘hardware’. The LMT65, has proved a popular choice for those fabricators moving from PVCU into aluminium for the first time, or those already the sector who are looking to build capacity.
The highly flexible aluminium cutting and routing line features a multi-spindle preparation unit with 360⁰ variable angle access to all four sides of the profile. This is automatically linked to the sawing unit that features a 650mm diameter blade with electronic tilt control.
A bar feeder and pick up system with adaptive rotating gripper, means that the LMT65 has the in-built flexibility to handle different profiles with ease.
FOM’s ProF2 software, simplifying process, requires just a single operative, while contributing to its high output (the LMT65 has the capability to cut and machine a three-pane bifold in less than 12 minutes).
It also integrates seamlessly with other flagship platforms including the Dali 40/70 and the Axel 4/5, simplifying complex boring, milling and drilling operations, and FOM’s new LMX650.
Launched last year the fully automated machining and cutting centre delivers movement across four axes and up to 50 NC controlled motorised axes, offering flexibility in cutting applications, including end-milling and notching, in a single production cycle.
“The approach that FOM has adopted means that the platforms it manufactures deliver incredible flexibility and capacity,” Paul said. “Its ProF2 software maximises that potential.
“Critically, because of the way that it’s set up, because the work to maximise process that has been completed by FOM already, it breaks the link that locks fabricators into particular systems, supporting them in moving and adapting more efficiently to market change and between systems.”