Aachen, 30th June 2023:
ProCom Automation – one of the leading providers of control solutions for cutting appliances – presents the latest software release. This update brings a multitude of optimisations, and it focusses both on increased productivity and convenience when operating. The new functions emerging from the Release 10 include extensive improvements that make the software itself more efficient and functions that make software handling significantly easier. Optimising and accelerating work processes also contributes to increased productivity, which means the release is a true efficiency booster.
Cutting speeds of up to 6 percent faster
One of the most important improvements is the use of optimised ModernBlendTime algorithms. Thanks to these specialized motion algorithms, cutting patterns can now be processed noticeably faster with the highest precision, which increases overall productivity by up to 6 percent. The ZeroBuffer feature enables cutting with zero clearance, even with high layers. In addition, ZeroBuffer improves the nesting of parts in ergoCAM and the automatic detection of contact zones, and it automatically reduces the cutting speed in these zones, so that particular attention is paid to precision in these areas. As a result, waste is always kept to a minimum without the quality being affected. Thanks to ZeroBuffer, notches are cut precisely too, and the right markings are put in the right places during finishing. The result: a perfect cut of the finished fabric!
Easy handling simplifies operators’ work
Using the barcode system, operators can easily scan markers, parameter sets and order numbers using a barcode scanner before automatically inserting them into the JobQueue. Furthermore, Release 10 offers an integrated clearing
graphic. This supports users in displaying finished parts on a separate monitor in the clearing zone and, if they chose to, projecting them directly in the clearing zone. Quickly and simply assigning parts doesn’t just speed up work, but it also eliminates the risk of parts being assigned incorrectly. For operators, both new features mean an enormous reduction in workload, making manual handling faster and more comfortable. In addition, there is no need to invest in a separate clearing system and manufacturing companies can save costs.
Access to digital production with one click
ProCom launched the production monitoring platform, Clouver, in 2017. With Clouver, machine data can be visualised and analysed. Important findings on the potential to optimise can be derived from this. Clouver has now been integrated into the CNC interface and can be accessed with just one click. Thanks to easy access to Clouver via the user interface, operators can call up the dashboard and its production data at any time. As such, productivity-inhibiting factors such as stoppages or machine bottlenecks can be identified and solved quickly.
An overview of the advantages that come with the new features of the CNC300 Release 10:
▶ Modern BlendTime: Increased productivity through algorithm-optimisation
▶ ZeroBuffer: Precision and flexibility, even with high layers
▶ Barcode scanning: Seamless integration of data into the control solution
▶ Integrated clearing graphics: Clarity and speed in the clearing zone
▶ Integrated IIoT production monitoring: Real-time insights into production data on the Clouver dashboard
“With the 10th release, we have fully focused on making processes faster, more productive and more intuitive – all while maintaining the usual precise cutting quality,” explains David Hübscher, Chief Technical Officer of ProCom Automation. “With the new software release, we are building on the numerous features that have already been integrated to achieve the best machine efficiency possible, while maintaining high quality standards – such as cutting during the feed – processing notches and optimising the cutting sequence. Our goal was to equip a high-end machine with a control solution that “tickles” all the potential technical productivity out of the machine. The issue of operator centring is also important to us so we can adapt manual processes to the
automated processes, and harmonise both, to gain new efficiencies. Harmonising manual work steps with automated processes ensures smooth-running production that satisfies both operators and managers alike. And that in turn makes us, and especially our customers – the builders of the machines – satisfied!”
About ProCom Automation | https://procom-automation.de/en
ProCom Automation is a specialist in automation solutions in the cutting and separating industry. For more than 40 years, the experts at ProCom have been developing high-tech control solutions featuring CNC and CAM software, high-quality hardware, and an optimised IIoT solution for the manufacturing industry.
Machine manufacturers all over the world benefit from cutting edge automation solutions for a wide range of cutting technologies such as knife, laser, water jet, plasma, and foam contour cutting. With product development focused on market and customer needs, ProCom Automation delivers unique features with significant added value to provide customers with a key competitive advantage for their success.
Clouver, the IIoT production monitoring platform, connects heterogeneous machine parks and brings transparency to production processes. With the targeted data evaluation of Clouver, unused potentials become visible, and productivity is optimised sustainably.
The company with its headquarter in Aachen is well established in the European and Chinese market and continuously invests in the ongoing development and expansion of its product portfolio as well as in future-oriented technologies like digitalisation for maximum efficiency and flexibility.
Press and public relations:
ProCom Automation GmbH
Rebecca Johnen
Jülicher Straße 344
52070 Aachen – D
Tel. +49 241 93681 500
Aachen/Mehrstetten, 1 June 2023:
ProCom Automation and bullmer are pleased to announce an important milestone in their long-standing cooperation. Thanks to innovative software optimisations in ProCom’s CNC controls, bullmer’s machines now cut 6 % faster. This progress marks a significant gain in productivity for bullmer, the market leader in cutting and laying technology.
Successful together: a traditional machine construction company and a CNC control specialist
Since its foundation in 1933, bullmer has always pursued innovations in the areas of laying technology and cutting. At the heart of this endeavour has always been the goal of further optimising customers’ production processes in the apparel, automotive, advertising technology, upholstered furniture, technical textiles, and aerospace sectors. ProCom, a specialist in CNC control solutions for cutting applications, has been bullmer’s development partner for almost 40 years. Now, ProCom has optimised the motion algorithms of control software and the smoothing of the contour data in an intensive process lasting six months.
“Once again, this result shows our ambition: we always want our control solution be a nose ahead and, therefore, we work on continuous improvements for our customers. Here we have the great advantage that – as an expert in CNC control solutions for cutting applications – we also offer control solutions for other technologies, such as laser cutting, water cutting, plasma cutting and oxyfuel cutting. This is where synergies arise that we use specifically to make our product that little bit better,” says Anette Höchst, Product Owner at ProCom Automation.
A 6 % productivity increase brings bullmer customers massive cost savings
In bullmer’s test, it was verified that the machine now cuts 6 % faster thanks to the software optimisation. In practical application, the increase in productivity means significant cost savings for garment manufacturers. Producers can now process more high-layer stacks as a result of this increased speed. If now, instead of 1,000 t-shirts per day, 1,060 t-shirts are cut due to the 6 % increase
in productivity, the manufacturer achieves 60 euros more profit per day with a margin of 1 euro per t-shirt.
In addition to the 6% faster cutting speed, the software optimisations also led to a significant improvement in quality. Particularly with corners, edges, and curves, cutting is now even more precise and leads to an even higher contour accuracy of the cut parts. This also results in potential significant savings for garment manufacturers, as the increased quality reduces waste and scrap.
Reiner Kast, responsible for development and production, from bullmer emphasises: “High-quality machines need a high-quality control system to exploit their full potential. With ProCom as our long-standing supplier of an excellent control, we can rely on receiving a solution that is perfectly matched to our machines and is consistently being optimised.”
In addition to the higher speed and improvements in quality, ProCom’s control solution offers further advantages, such as cutting with zero clearance. This brings significant savings in material and time. Optimisation potential is also evident in the IIoT production monitoring platform, Clouver. In this way, the machine operator can continuously improve their processes based on the visualised production data.
Cooperation opens up new opportunities in the market
The improvements made through software optimisation impressively demonstrate how bullmer and ProCom use their expertise and commitment to continuous improvement to win over their customers time and again with efficient and high-quality solutions. Kast sees the grown cooperation as the key to innovations: “Through professional and long-standing cooperation, we always manage to identify new opportunities and promote innovation. This way, we can be sure that we will continue to be pioneers on the market with our machines in the future.”
About bullmer | www.bullmer.de
Whether clothing, shoes, car seats, aircraft components, sofas, advertising banners or much more: bullmer GmbH ensures the cut is right. As a leading company, bullmer develops and manufactures automated system solutions from material handling to material flow to automatic cutting and sorting. These are worldwide known cutting systems in different widths and all desired lengths, in single and multi-layer cutting, up to automatic storage systems. Precise and of high quality are the system solutions that are “Made in Germany”. Different materials such as fabrics, leather, carbon and glass fibres, foams, Alu Dibond, acrylic or cardboard reach their perfect form with bullmer machines – “their best form”. What began more than 80 years ago as a metal works in the Swabian Alb is today one of the international industry leaders; bullmer manufactures with more than 120 employees for Germany, Europe, Asia, North and Central America, Australia, and Africa. The Who’s Who of the international fashion, automotive, composites, graphics, and furniture industries are among the company’s customers. They all appreciate the cost-effectiveness and productivity that bullmer’s solutions bring to their production. Comprehensive, globally available service with short response times rounds off the range of services. A team of 120 employees in Germany who value their work and, of course, have the technical know-how, also make bullmer one of the most sought-after suppliers of cutting solutions worldwide.
About ProCom Automation | www.procom-automation.de/en
ProCom Automation specialises in automated solutions for the cutting and separating industry. With more than 40 years of experience, ProCom’s specialists have developed high-tech control solutions consisting of CNC and CAM software, high-quality hardware and an optimised IIoT solution for the cutting industry.
Machine builders all over the world benefit from the incisively better automation solutions for a wide range of cutting processes such as knife, laser, waterjet, plasma, and foam contour cutting. By developing products based on market and customer needs, ProCom Automation realises unique features with significant added value and thus provides customers with a decisive competitive advantage for their success.
Clouver, the IIoT production monitoring platform, connects heterogeneous machine parks and makes production processes transparent. With the targeted data evaluation of Clouver, untapped potential becomes visible, and productivity is sustainably optimised.
Based in Aachen, Germany, the company has established itself in the European and Chinese markets and continuously invests in the further development and expansion of its product portfolios, as well as in forward-looking technologies in the field of digitalisation for maximum efficiency and flexibility.
Press and public relations:
ProCom Automation GmbH
Rebecca Johnen
Jülicher Straße 344
52070 Aachen – D
Tel. +49 241 93681 500