LinkNet Network Communications

LinkNet puts your whole stamping operation
at your fingertips. 

The LinkNet system is a software product designed to be used with standard IBM architecture personal computers running Windows 98 or Windows NT.  LinkNet will allow the OmniLink 5000 Press and Automation Controller, the System 2500 PLS, and the System 1100 Tonnage Monitor to report information and status back to the PC for display, storage, and printing.  This network enables the use of down time codes (DTC's for each machine).  In addition, LinkNet incorporates a Preventative Maintenance Module for scheduling and generating work order reports for routine press maintenance. 

All data is stored in industry standard Microsoft Access database files.  This allows data to be used with many common spreadsheets, databases, and word processors that can read this format.  Crystal Reports is used to generate reports for the LinkNet System. The data can then be used to create custom reports, charts, etc. to fit the specific requirements of a given situation. 

Below are samples of two of the reports that can be generated by LinkNet.
Figure 1 (click to enlarge)		Figure 1 shows a typical tonnage signature graph.  The High peak setpoint, low peak setpoint, and reverse tonnage setpoint limits are shown graphically, along with the tonnage at the cursor position.  An archived signature representing a known "good" part can be overlaid with any other graph to give a quick visual indication of die wear.
Figure 2 (click to enlarge)		Figure 2 shows a section of a report giving lifetime tonnage alarms (by die), which can be used to help determine how a particular die is being utilized in production. In order to better understand the level of information available to you with LinkNet you may download some typical LinkNet reports in Adobe Acrobat format.

Some of the information available in LinkNet:

  Average tonnage (for 5000 and 1100 tonnage monitors) collected in 10 minute intervals are stored in shift files.  
  Production rates collected in 10 minute intervals are stored in shift files.
  DTC information is stored in shift files.
  Status (low, reverse setpoints On of Off, Bypass mode, etc.) is store in shift files.  
  Lifetime average tonnage and number of strokes is stored by machine and die.  This information can be helpful in determining when rework is due.
  Lifetime DTC information is stored by machine and by die.  The percentage uptime and downtime can be used to determine where improvements should be made.  
  Lifetime highest tonnage is stored by machine and by die. .
  Number of high alarms, low alarms, and reverse alarms stored by die.
  Number of machine rating alarms store by machine
  Parts, Batch, and Quality counter status can be displayed for each machine
  Preventative maintenance scheduling allows for organized and timely service and maintenance procedures, decreasing the likelihood of unscheduled downtime..

LinkNet also augments on-board job storage capacity of the units it communicates with, allowing an almost unlimited number of jobs to be stored and recalled over the network.