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 CNC30 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
Aachen, 4th April 2022
ProCom Automation – the technology company for CNC and CAM controls for the cutting and separating industry – continues to expand its in-house expertise and has now become a Microsoft Gold Partner through the successful certification of its own employees as Modern Desktop Administrators. This certification is reserved for only a few IT experts and guarantees customers and partners a high level of IT know-how regarding Microsoft 365 applications. The goal is to sustainably optimise the dynamic working world internally as well as in cooperation with customers.
Only 1 percent – An objective seal of approval for the highest proof of competence
The certification is in great demand worldwide. This is proven by the fact that only one percent of all Microsoft partners receive it. Processes and procedures on the internal and external side are to be optimised with a total of four Modern Desktop Adminstators. Our experts gained a profound understanding of working with Microsoft 365 during their preparation and can apply their newly acquired knowledge of modern system provisioning, user and role management, system and data recovery, compliance, Windows Defender, and mobile application management directly in practice.
Cloud-based services for greater internal and external efficiency
Consequently, the company now relies on cloud-based services such as the SharePoint platform to exchange data. Customers also benefit from this as each customer gets its own area in the cloud. This makes the exchange of data more convenient, faster and cloud-based. This significantly minimises the time required for data transfer on both sides.
Internal communication has also been shifted to Microsoft teams, improving the flow of information, and making processes faster, more routine, and more efficient. Daily e-mail traffic has been reduced by almost 70 per cent!
“Anyone who delivers high-quality
products also needs high-quality tools and application expertise.”
Sebastian Scheufen, Head of IT at ProCom Automation
The Aachen-based company proves that it meets the highest level of generally applicable Microsoft working standards with this certification. “Anyone who delivers high-quality products also needs high-quality tools and application expertise“ says Sebastian Scheufen, Head of IT at ProCom Automation.
Cutting-edge technologies and products
Bernd Göttgens, Managing Director of the company, is also pleased about the award: “This new type of digital collaboration is still in its infancy in many successful and traditional companies. However, the professional, expert handling, set-up and operation of the IT infrastructure is essential. It proves to be an internal efficiency booster in daily work and is very future-oriented. The fact that we are one of the few companies to have accepted the challenge of implementing this way of working already shows that we have the courage to always deal with the latest technologies – and that we have the competence to use them profitably for ourselves and our customers!”
Promising synergies arise above all in the area of IoT products from ProCom Automation. For example, the cloud-based IoT solution “Clouver“ for production data visualisation can be further expanded and optimised thanks to the newly acquired knowledge – first ideas have already been developed.
Press and public relation
ProCom GmbH
Rebecca Johnen
Luisenstraße 41
52070 Aachen
Tel. +49 241 93681 500
Aachen, 01/10/2021 – The automation division of ProCom is now an independent company: With the entry in the Aachen commercial register on September 24th, 2021, the company now operates as ProCom Automation GmbH and documents its core competence both in the name and in the new, slightly modified logo: where there used to be a slogan, the company logo now features the words “Automation”. The noble, anthracite-colored capitals form the foundation of the logo and convey stability and reliability. The subtle modification is systematic: ProCom has a name in the world of the cutting industry – the similarity of the new branding to the previous one thus documents continuity in terms of product quality and service that customers have been accustomed to for decades.
There is continuity in other respects as well: the previous, long-standing Automation Division Manager, Bernd Göttgens, has been appointed as the new Managing Director. The experienced contact persons for customers will also remain and support the company with their well-known expert knowledge in sales and consulting.
Will everything remain as it is? Managing Director Göttgens says: “We are building on the old values and will remain true to our business, i.e. we will continue to offer hardware and software solutions for the cutting industry. Nevertheless, our customers can look forward to continuous innovations in the future, because we have invested in personnel and built up know-how in recent years. This is now paying off. Our independence therefore comes at just the right time: We are launching into a promising future with great vigor.”
Read more about ProCom Automation’s positioning and plans in the following interview.
Bernd Göttgens, Managing Director of ProCom Automation GmbH, reports on what the independence of ProCom Automation means and what plans the company has for the near future.
Mr. Göttgens, you once said “Proven things form the secure basis of ProCom Automation”. What did you mean by that?
Well, essentially it means that we remain true to our values, structures and brands. We continue to offer the expertise for which we are known. All employees of the Automation division will transfer to ProCom Automation GmbH and all knowledge will remain in the company. Thus, we start with a strong team of 30 people, some of whom have known each other for many years and work together in perfect harmony.
The hierarchies are flat – agile working, joint decision-making and mutual support have long been common practices in our company. This way of working has proven itself for years and we are sticking to it, which does not mean that we will stand still…
…it sounds like things are on the move in your company. What will change?
Digitalization and globalization are just two of very many topics that we have increasingly been preparing for in recent years. We come across new technologies almost every day, products are being developed at breakneck speed, and processes are becoming more agile and flexible. In recent months, we have already filled a number of new positions and are now strategically positioned to meet these market challenges with concentrated expertise. With this secure basis, nothing stands in the way of new, forward-looking innovations – and puts our customers on the road to success.
Will the focus remain on the cutting industry or do you have further plans?
We will continue to focus on the cutting industry. That’s where our expertise comes into its own best. Whether it’s knife, laser, waterjet or plasma cutting – cutting processes are where all our skills lie. And this is where our products convince cutting machine operators every day with outstanding cutting quality and higher productivity. This know-how was also the basis for our more recent innovations such as Cutting During Bitefeed (CDB), an additional function for even greater profitability.
You mentioned plans for expansion – where do you see your most important markets, where do you want to expand?
Most of our customers are in Europe and Asia, with Asia accounting for more than 50 percent of our sales. We continue to see attractive growth opportunities in these regions. Of course, we don’t turn down customers from other continents either (laughs). On the contrary, we are happy to reach out to other regions of the world, to make our brands visible globally and to take advantage of new opportunities.
What technical trends are you observing in your business and what can your customers look forward to in the near future?
With our latest product, the IoT production monitoring platform Clouver, we have responded to the trend of digitalization. With it, we are helping many machine manufacturers and machine operators to implement the topic of IoT in practice. All existing machines in a machine park can be integrated into the Clouver platform within minutes using our Clouver SmartKit. This works across manufacturers and it doesn’t matter whether the machine is old or new. Thus, the complete process chain becomes transparent and production data is provided in real-time. Also worth mentioning is our touch terminal solution, which eliminates the need for manual paper slips. As a result, not only production but also logistics can be made much more efficient. As far as the next few years are concerned, I expect to see a further expansion of the digital portfolio. Cloud solutions for networking will no longer be “add-ons”, but an integral part of a control system and thus state of the art for machines. To drive innovation in this area, we are investing a large part of our profit in development and in the further training of our employees.
Speaking of profit: How is ProCom Automation positioned financially?
At an optimum. We are well-positioned and are starting out on our own with a solid equity ratio and secure liquidity. The order books for the coming months are already well filled. We can therefore definitely speak of a successful business year for 2021 in our over 40-year success story.
Press and public relations:
ProCom GmbH
Rebecca Johnen
Luisenstraße 41
52070 Aachen
Tel. +49 241 51804-197
marketing@procom.de
https://procom-automation.de/
Agency contact:
Press’n’Relations II GmbH
Ralf Dunker
Gräfstraße 66
81241 München
Tel. +49 89 5404722-11
du@press-n-relations.de
www.press-n-relations.com
Moving away from paper-based dockets and towards digital solutions for production planning and process optimization: Clouver SmartKits by ProCom Automation now ensure that at the Vita Group site in Maastricht the production data of all cutting machines are digitally recorded and evaluated.
Paper dockets: plenty of work and time for little benefit
The Vita Group is one of Europe’s leading suppliers when it comes to flexible polyurethane foam, latex, and flooring products. In Maastricht in the Netherlands, the company is one of only two in the world to manufacture Talalay latex. This special latex provides not only more breathability and elasticity but is also antibacterial. The production area used to foam the latex is highly digitalized. However, this is not the case for the area where the latex blocks are cut, glued, and packaged. Until recently, employees recorded production data manually on paper based dockets. These were then manually transferred to Excel spreadsheets. This took a lot of time, roughly 30 minutes per machine operator per shift, which was more than 1,000 working hours per year. In addition, the data in the Excel tables was analyzed inadequately. The findings were not very robust and left considerable room for interpretation. To achieve sustainable improvements in the production process, however, it is an important prerequisite to systematically record and analyze the production data.
Collecting data digitally: for quick access anywhere
The person responsible for process optimization in this Vita business area is Adam Gittins. “We can only make production processes better, more efficient and safer if we reliably measure and evaluate how good we are at cutting,” says the Operational Excellence Manager. Maastricht’s challenge: The contour cutting machines are equipped with a CNC control system made by ProCom with an integrated interface to Clouver, enabling the machines to send their production data directly to the Clouver production monitoring platform. This is not the case with the two vertical and horizontal cutting machines which are 25 years old. What could be done to digitally record the data from all cutting machines? In search of a solution, Adam Gittins got in touch with ProCom Automation.
Small Clouver SmartKits, big impact for everyone
As experts in control and IoT solutions for the cutting industry, ProCom has the right solution at hand: SmartKits as a supplement to the Clouver IoT platform. At the heart lies the Clouver GateWay with smart software, which implements digital data acquisition via interfaces for current and voltage measurement with galvanically isolated sensors. With the “little black box”, the connection to the Clouver Cloud can be established easily and quickly.
In spring 2021, the SmartKits in Clouver’s basic version were installed at the Vita site in Maastricht. The operating states of the cutting machines are now read out, evaluated, and displayed graphically. Clouver enables access to the digital image of the production at any time for the production supervisors and the management at Vita’s headquarters in Manchester, UK.
Easily IoT-ready instead of a costly retrofit
Without the Clouver SmartKits, digital data acquisition would not be an option for the two old machines in Maastricht. Preparing them for IoT would have required a major retrofit with manual intervention in the hardware and a high financial investment. The SmartKits, in conjunction with the cloud solution, are an easy-to-install and cost-effective way to integrate sensor technology even in old cutting machines and to digitally map production. In addition, there is no need to replace any hardware. This not only minimizes investment costs, but also avoids the risk of unstable production and prolonged machine downtime.
If a machine switches to standby or off mode, the touch display (which can be configured individually) asks for the reason for the standstill. The machine operator only needs to select on one of the listed reasons. “Child’s play and user-friendly!” says Adam Gittins. “All Vita Group employees benefit immensely from this. For the machine operators, this provides more freedom and additional time that they can use to focus on other tasks that optimize production.”
Following the digital path
„This is our first step towards digitalization. But there is still a lot to do, in Maastricht and in other Vita plants,” says Operational Excellence Manager Gittins. In addition to a Vita plant in France, where Clouver was installed via OPC-UA on one brand-new and three older cutting machines, and the site in Maastricht, Gittins is considering the mattress factories in Poland next. The mattress products manufactured there are so similar that it is very easy to compare the productivity of the three sites. The teams stand to benefit from shared learning and regular exchanges, thanks to information from Clouver. Gittins: “If everything works out as expected, we’ll see a lot of potential for Clouver and the SmartKits in a number of other Vita plants, especially in plants where mattresses are produced.” At any rate, the initial results are encouraging.
About ProCom Automation | https://procom-automation.de/en
ProCom Automation is a specialist for automation solutions in the cutting and separating industry. For more than 35 years, the experts at ProCom have been developing high-tech control solutions featuring CNC and CAM software as well as high-quality hardware adapted to the drive technology of renowned manufacturers.
Machine builders all over the world benefit from the cutting-edge automation solutions for a wide range of cutting processes such as knife, laser, waterjet, 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 IoT 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 optimized sustainably.
The company with its headquarters in Aachen is well established in the European and Chinese markets and continuously invests in the ongoing development and expansion of its product portfolio as well as in future-oriented technologies for maximum efficiency and flexibility.
Press- and public relations:
ProCom GmbH
Rebecca Johnen
Luisenstraße 41
52070 Aachen
Germany
Tel. +49 241 51804-197
marketing@procom.de
https://procom-automation.de/en
Agency contact:
Press’n’Relations II GmbH
Ralf Dunker
Gräfstraße 66
81241 München
Germany
Tel. +49 89 5404722-11
du@press-n-relations.de
www.press-n-relations.com
Following the announcement of the takeover of the energy division of ProCom GmbH (ProCom) by the investor Volue ASA, the separation of the two company divisions “Energy” and “Automation” is mandatory. ProCom’s automation division will operate as an independent company in future, with its market positioning as an expert for control and IoT solutions being sharpened significantly. Consequently, the company returns to its core business of more than 40 years of company history.
Volue ASA (Olso, Norway) announced the acquisition of ProCom Energy on July 7. The automation division is to be continued as an independent company under the name ProCom Automation. Preparations for this event are in full swing, as of September, both divisions are expected to run their businesses independently. “We are looking forward to establishing ProCom Automation. This will take us back to the roots of our long-standing corporate history, which began with the development of control software for the cutting industry. We are nevertheless looking to the future: we will use this opportunity to drive the ongoing development of our products and solutions in the field of CNC control software and Industry 4.0 in a more targeted manner,” Dr. Max Scheidt, Managing Director of ProCom, announced.
With its strategy geared towards growth, the company intends to respond quickly and flexibly to new future trends and developments such as digitalization in production and to expand its position as a specialist for the cutting industry.
Bernd Göttgens, Division Manager Automation of ProCom: “We are expecting the formation of the new company in September. This will be an exciting and eventful time for ProCom Automation, which the entire team is eagerly anticipating. We are looking forward to the developments of the coming weeks, months and years!”
About ProCom Automation | https://procom-automation.de/en
ProCom Automation is a specialist in CNC and CAM software and hardware for a wide variety of cutting technologies such as knife, laser, water jet, plasma and foam contour cutting.
“Clouver”, the intelligent production monitoring platform, connects heterogeneous machine parks. The targeted data evaluation of the production processes makes unused potentials visible and leads to higher productivity.
The company has established itself with its products in the European and Chinese markets and continuously invests further development and expansion of its product portfolio as well as in future-oriented technologies in the field of IoT and Industry 4.0 for maximum transparency and flexibility.
Press- and public relations:
ProCom GmbH
Rebecca Johnen
Luisenstraße 41
52070 Aachen
Germany
Tel. +49 241 51804-197
marketing@procom.de
https://procom-automation.de/
Agency contact:
Press’n’Relations II GmbH
Ralf Dunker
Gräfstraße 66
81241 München
Germany
Tel. +49 89 5404722-11
du@press-n-relations.de
www.press-n-relations.com
On October 1st, 2020, the experts for Digital Transformation, PLM and Smart Factory of the allvisual gmbh from Schwetzingen and the Industry 4.0 team of ProCom have joined forces. allvisual drives the digital transformation with its customers by providing strategy & consulting services around the digital product and is an expert for the conception and implementation of modern solutions for intralogistics, production and maintenance with a focus on the employee 4.0.
In order to increase transparency and efficiency in production, it is a great challenge for many manufacturing companies to find a suitable system that can process the multitude of providers and protocols from the shop floor level and prepare them for the MES above. At this point, the ProCom IoT platform Clouver provides a universal interface for all higher-level systems, including the SAP ME and SAP MII systems used by allvisual. The IoT platform is able to collect all production data from machines, devices and sensors. These are integrated into the respective SAP systems and processed there. If desired, Clouver’s own user interface with individual dashboards and analyses of the production data can also be used and, in turn, integrated with SAP through allvisual implementations. SAP users, but also companies that rely on MES systems from other providers, receive a lean IoT solution with a manageable investment and prompt productivity increase. allvisual and ProCom always align their joint optimization solution with the individual tasks and ROI goals of the customer, so that the customer can quickly and directly benefit from the advantages of Industry 4.0.
Learn more about our partner allvisual here.
Learn more about Clouver here.
At this time, many companies are in the process of reorientation and planning for the future. They see the crisis as an opportunity to advance digitization (VDMA, 2020) and to use new business models, e.g. based on the IoT, to get out of the crisis unscathed (Microsoft, 2020). However, they often have to maintain liquidity and save costs at the same time.
The SmartKit is an addition to ProCom’s Industry 4.0 platform “Clouver”, which enables a quick return on investment, usually within a few months. Using intelligent sensor technology, important data of your machines – whether old or ultra-modern – can be quickly determined with minimal installation effort. The machine operator can manually refine this data via touch panel, for example by selecting reasons for downtimes. In Clouver, users can then find a live digital image of their production, visually prepared in individually designed dashboards. The first measures for production optimization can then often be initiated immediately, so that they quickly benefit from higher productivity. In this way, the modest initial investment is quickly returned. After that, more profit remains and at the same time the first step is taken into the IIoT world of tomorrow.
Users of Clouver…
… identify hidden costs
… maximize productivity and plant efficiency
… always have their key figures in view and can react faster
This is made possible by professional applications like:
- Productivity, real-time and bottleneck analysis
- Remote diagnostics, early warning systems and alarms
- Error statistics and reasons for downtime
- Predictive maintenance
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Benchmarking and production planning
- Automated production contronlling 24/7
” ‘The more digital the industrial companies are, the faster they will recover from the consequences of the shutdown’. (Berg, 2020) 94 percent [of companies] see Industry 4.0 as the prerequisite for maintaining the competitiveness of German industry. ” (Bitkom, 2020)
Equipping medical staff with suitable protective clothing is one of the most important success factors in coping with the corona crisis. However, the lack of protective suits and masks is still huge. For this reason, i.a. the consulting company Gherzi Group, the manufacturer of orthopedic products Sporlastic, the film manufacturer RKW, the nonwoven fabric machine manufacturer Reifenhäuser, the textile technology institutes in Aachen and Chemnitz, as well as other partners have joined forces in the “FIGHT” consortium in order to set up a production of FFP2 protective masks. The cutting of the textile parts for the protective masks is carried out on cutting machines equipped with the professional CNC control systems of the development specialist ProCom GmbH in Aachen.
“The cutting for the protective masks with the ProCom controller runs with a very high throughput and excellent quality. We were supported by ProCom very quickly and unbureaucratically during the implementation of the project, so that we were able to start production immediately”. (“Fight” Coordinator, Adjunct Prof. PD Dr.-Ing. Yves-Simon Gloy, Gherzi van Delden GmbH)
The production of the masks, which was launched within only two weeks, is already in progress and will initially achieve a volume of approximately 750,000 masks per week. The masks are approved and certified by Dekra and the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The longer-term production goals are many times higher.
Further information:
Adjunct Prof. PD Dr.-Ing. Yves-Simon Gloy, Gherzi van Delden GmbH – Member of Gherzi Textile Organisation
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all confronted with a dynamic and difficult situation. Our families, friends, customers, employees and communities have been dramatically affected by the impact of the virus and its impact on the global economy. We would like to share with you how ProCom is responding to this new situation.
We have installed a prevention team at an early stage and have started to provide employees with advice and measures to protect themselves and others in the best possible way.
On 12 March, ProCom rehearsed the expected emergency and sent all employees to their home office. As the résumé of the day was very positive, our teams have been working from home since 16 March. We have reduced business trips to an absolute minimum until further notice. This means that our contact with you in the near future will be by telephone and digital – definitely but not less. We have adapted our working hours to the situation and made them more flexible. ProCom works less in absolute terms, so that parents, for example, can supervise their children more easily. The planning of the teams guarantees continuous availability and coverage of all customer needs. In these times, ProCom thus focuses even more on its core tasks and issues. We let rest processes that do not serve the concrete operational business aside and the reduced travel activity helps to increase time reserves in order to maintain smooth operations despite reduced working hours for our customers and partners.
At a glance:
- Customer appointments take place virtually – we use tools that allow convenient face-to-face meetings.
- Availability of employees by telephone or e-mail is guaranteed at all times, as before.
- Support for our customers is fully available.
- Seminars/trainings are offered as webinars in small blocks. Offers are in coordination.
- Production: Our production team works in isolation at the company headquarters and our production facility allows a sufficiently large safety distance between each other.
- Software development runs as usual.
- Consulting from our side remote and/or via video conference possible.
- New installations are possible via the usual remote maintenance access.
We hope that you and your families, employees, and all other partners are and stay healthy! We would be happy to discuss with you the effects the Corona pandemic may have on you and our joint business. Our employees have started to contact customers and partners personally. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Your ProCom Team
The Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) provides information in a single clear figure about what percentage of the available time has been worked productively and with high quality – so far, so good.
However, how can you use this value as a speedometer for your entire company, not only to secure competitiveness and jobs, but also to reduce your personal stress level? You can find out about these topics in our free webinar.
You will experience a success story to touch and get your personal questions answered.
In addition, you will also see how the industry 4.0 platform “Clouver” uncovers further available production potentials and how you will significantly increase your productivity with an analysis of the reasons for downtime.
Webinar: “Securing competitive advantages with OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)“.
Lecturers: Heinz-Joachim Schulte (Managing Director, OEE Institutes)
Matthias Winkelhoch (Consultant Industry 4.0, ProCom)
Date: 27th September 2019
Time: 14.00 – 14:45 pm
Language: German
Free Registration: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1534271021284301323
We look forward to welcoming you to our webinar!
ProCom at EMO trade fair (September 16-21, 2019, Hanover, Germany) in Hall 9, Booth F32 in the Industry 4.0 area
Aachen, Germany, July 23, 2019 – The CNC300PRO is ProCom’s most powerful controller of the CNC300 product family for maximum speed and precise laser cutting. The new, ultra-modern IPC can be scaled as needed in terms of memory and processor performance, offering the best possible configuration for any application. The associated CNC software “ergoCNC” was also improved. This software supports flying cuts, among other things, for which the laser is switched with microsecond response time during movements. The fast cut mode and ping-pong positioning also offer significant time savings thanks to optimized tool paths. To achieve the highest cutting quality, the distance to the workpiece is dynamically adapted by adjusting the height in real time. Other technological features, such as tool radius correction or 5-stage puncturing strategies, offer precise results. Due to its ergonomically designed touch interface and task-oriented screens, ergoCNC can also be conveniently operated by machine operators without extensive prior experience.
The ergoCAM software is the perfect addition for optimizing cutting programs to achieve higher cutting quality, more throughput, or better material utilization. The CNC300PRO controller is also ready for the Clouver Industry 4.0 application from ProCom. This solution links production and business operations and provides management, factory managers, and machine operators with information that can assist in uncovering hidden costs or minimize downtime.
More information about CNC300PRO
Features of the CNC300PRO
- Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 – longlife cycle
- RAM: 4GB, 8GB or 16 GB
- SSD: 126 GB or 256 GB
- Long-term industry PC mainboard
- Industry 4.0 ready
- EtherCAT interface
- OPC UA interfaces
- Electrical connection 24 VDC
- Windows 10 LTSB
Video: flying cut, managed by ProCom’s software ergoCNC.
More information in our press release.
Many reasons for a downtime remain undetected, because machine operators quickly fix them without recording it. In whatever fact the problem resides, if you know it, you can improve it. Herefore, Clouver now provides statistics for production managers! With the new Clouver widget „Interruption Statistic Widget”, the overall equipment effectiveness will increase and thus the result will be better.
Our brand new Clouver widget „stacked bar chart“ delivers a comfortable overview of machine conditions over an extended period of time.
Track your machines’ long term performance and increase productivity.
Test Clouver free now. Click here for further information.
bullmer at the Texprocess trade fair, 14.-17.5.2019, Messe Frankfurt am Main (Germany), Hall 4, Stand B60
Last week: Launch of Clouver at #Bullmer‘s Chinese customers such as Lilanz, Esquel, world’s largest woven shirt maker, and Yude, producing for Anta, one of the world´s largest sports article manufacturers. We encountered great interest in our solution and a very valuable exchange of ideas. The first operational steps of Clouver went very well! Clouver – #ProCom´s #I4.0 solution for cutting industries – is now available in Chinese language.
Bullmer, as leading supplier of automatic cutting solutions, now integrates Clouver in its product range. With Clouver, ProCom’s Inudstry4.0 solution, you get a comprehensive insight into real-time production flows and ensure a maximum degree of machine availability. Come and find out about it on Texprocess, 14 – 17 May 2019 in Frankfurt am Main (Hall 4 Booth B60).
Do you often deal with questions as “Why was the production standing still? Why was material missing? Why did the machine only work at 60% output? Why did the scrap increase and why did it come to an adjustment of the machines parameterization?”
In order to get the right answers to these important questions you need appropriate information that will provide necessary hints to understand the cause of your loss of productivity.
Using Clouver will help you there. With the OEE value, Clouver provides you with an indicator, and thus with the ability to detect and resolve productivity losses from downtime or short term interruptions, from production output or scrap. Find the right approaches to sustainably increase the production efficiency.
But what exactly is the story behind the term OEE? OEE stands for Overall Equipment Effectiveness.
Determined from availability, performance, and quality, this value indicates what percentage of the time the machine has been productive and how much of its productivity has been lost due to interruptions, downtime, or rejects. In the automotive industry the regulation automotive standard IATF 16949 since September 2018 prescribes, that maintenance and service goals must inter alia be documented with the OEE standard.
If you would like to learn more about OEE or increasing productivity with Clouver, please contact us!
The new CNC300ECO controller from ProCom is not only smaller, lighter and more powerful than its predecessor, but also easier to operate, and it makes cutting processes fit for Industry 4.0. This solution offers added value for laser, plasma, knife-edge and waterjet cutting. Current and future Industry 4.0 requirements can be met with the integrated OPC-UA interface, the Clouver gateway integrated into the CNC controller, mutual gigabit-LAN interfaces, and EtherCAT communications with sensors, actuators and drives.
Gains in functionality are accompanied by gains in user friendliness. The software solution ergoCAM allows for more intuitive work preparation and enhances quality and productivity while minimizing cutting scrap. Also the usability of the CNC operations and programming by ProCom moved to the next level. To mention just one advantage: For each operational step in ergoCNC, operators see only the views and functions relevant to their current activity. This clarity enables straightforward, intuitive operation even by untrained personnel. Moreover, tight coupling with the Clouver Industry 4.0 solution helps operators recognize relevant operational states faster and diagnose possible faults more easily. Support for touch displays, optional integration of mobile terminals and the associated remote control capability round out the list of features.
Visit ProCom at SPS IPC Drives, 11/27-29/2018 in Nuremberg, Booth 6-150H
The CNC300ECO controller was created within a BMBF sponsored project in which ProCom, another controller vendor, three machine manufacturers and two institutes of the Technical University of Aachen developed “multimodal, task-oriented operating systems for flexible and user-centric human-machine interaction on production machines” (MaxiMMI).
Clouver gives machine manufacturers the chance to offer their customers added value and increase machine availability. The IoT solution for Industry 4.0 implements this by collecting important production data in real time, stores it in the cloud, and makes it available for evaluation. An essential functionality from Clouver for manufacturers is the new Maintenance Monitor. It provides the basis for condition-oriented servicing. By using the operating hours count, the oil level, or other criteria specified by the machine manufacturer, it determines the optimum time for the next service. Servicing and maintenance are therefore easier to plan and more cost-effective to the machine owner than with fixed maintenance intervals. Machine users also benefit from reduced downtimes.
The Maintenance Monitor provides the ability to define warning and alarm thresholds and transmits corresponding information via neat dashboards or through other channels. This creates additional reliability. In addition, machine manufacturers can use Clouver to compare machines of the same type with one another or to monitor prototypes. For detailed analyses, the measurement data from arbitrary sensors can be recorded alongside conventional usage data, for example in order to visualize vibrations, consumption, or wear and tear, as well as to analyze trends.
For more information, please visit http://www.clouver.de
ProCom at SPS IPC Drives, 11/27-29/2018 in Nuremberg, Booth 6-150H
For the SPS IPC Drives trade fair, ProCom presents its hardware and software solution for laser, knife-edge, plasma, and waterjet cutting machines. The solution consists of drives, a CNC controller, software, and an IoT component. With this complete package, manufacturers can increase the utility of their machines and provide end customers with additional services such as predictive maintenance, analysis of the machine fleet, and recommendations for measures to increase productivity. Development teams can benefit from the ProCom solution, as the monitoring of prototypes during field testing can be improved and user behavior analyzed in greater detail.
Main components of the solution are the CNC300ECO controller and an intuitive software package optimized for diverse cutting processes, especially laser cutting, and the Clouver cloud-based Industry 4.0 solution. The latter links up the production process with its digital image providing the transparency required for business models such as “pay per use”.
Visitors can experience the interaction of the controller, software, and Clouver at the ProCom stand (Hall 6, Booth 6-150H) while applying their data. Anyone who brings a DXF file can follow via Webcam as a 2D portal machine in Aachen runs through the required movements with a laser pointer. Clouver consecutively evaluates the process and provides key parameters and statistics needed for greater productivity, longer machine service life, and state-based maintenance.
For more information about Clouver, please visit: www.clouver.de/en
How productivity can be increased, competitiveness promoted and flexibility increased will be the topic of the “IoT Day” on 16 October 2018 in Kulmbach. The event, which ProCom is organising with the support of Innovation Centre Region Kronach e.V., is aimed at managing directors, production managers and IT managers from the cutting industry and related sectors. The Network Forum focuses on the new opportunities offered by Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things.
At the conference, well known speakers from industry and research will present their views and insights on Industry 4.0: Dr. Bastian Halecker, Managing Director and founder of Nestim GmbH, will report on how smart IoT solutions can create new markets. Heinz-Joachim Schulte, founder of the OEE Institute, explains the importance of productivity measurement. Philipp Blanke from the Machine Tool Laboratory at RWTH Aachen University and Josef Klein, Head of the Technology Centre at Hugo Boss, will address various aspects of the application of digital solutions. Özhan Oguz, Principal Business Development at Bosch Rexroth, will round off the conference part with his lecture on the factory of the future. The event will be complemented by afternoon workshops on Industry 4.0, followed by the closing speech by Prof. Dr. Gunther Herr, founder and managing director of the WOIS Institute. He will explain how companies can improve their competitive position through disruptive business models and digitization.
The ProCom IoT Day is an event of ProCom GmbH, supported by the Innovation Centre Region Kronach e.V.
For more information about the ProCom IoT-Day, Registration document and information about the evening event click here.
You can find more informationen on www.clouver.de/en/
ProCom at METAV, 20.-24. February 2018 in Düsseldorf, hall 14, booth A107 at the Innovation Park of IndustryArena GmbH
METAV trade fare presents ProCom automation, the new
IoT-solution for industry 4.0 in the cutting industry: Clouver.
Clouver targets both machine manufacturers and producers, who wish to offer their customers surplus value and to assure their future sustainability through developing their industry 4.0 adaptability.
Clouver interlinks production with its digital image, creating transparency at all levels of your company. Enabling you to analyze production processes, identify hidden production costs and bottlenecks in advance. With Clouver service of machines and the optimization of running production is made significantly easier. During the cutting process, Clouver collects specific technical as well as economic data in real time, merging it with other applications of customers and compacting it with other relevant data; at any moment in the process each one involved will receive custom-fit information specific to a field of work. In short:
- The machine operator is aware of its state of operation and service enabling them to diagnose what needs to be done.
- The factory manager oversees the entire production, is able to intervene and readjust whenever necessary.
- The CEO receives and retains an overview over the entire business and its production, allowing him to make strategic decision immediately based on big data.
Clouver offers local storage of data as well as the opportunity to file and analyze selected cloud based data through its edge-option. In this way, Clouver-users may at any time determine who can access which data at which time and to which degree of detail.
Enabling Clouver-users to further their own production processes or those of their clients, to offer added value, to develop cloud based business models, yet guaranteeing maximum data security at the same time.
You can find more informationen on www.clouver.de/en/
Family Scheidt transfers all shares to Dr. Max Scheidt.
Dr. Max Scheidt, Managing Partner, now holds all shares in ProCom GmbH. Franz Scheidt founded the company 40 years ago; he handed over the management to his son in 2010 and then moved to the corporate advisory board. Since then, Dr. Max Scheidt and Dr. Andreas Nolden manage ProCom, based in Aachen and Berlin.
With more than 120 employees and an international customer base of approximately 150 customers, ProCom serves industrial and production companies as well as transmission system operators and energy traders. The family-run company with its automation and energy business units is growing steadily and is increasingly international.
Dr. Max Scheidt: “I am proud to continue ProCom in the second generation. The changes in the energy industry and production technology – in Europe and in many other regions – are constantly presenting market participants with new challenges. Assisting them in accomplishing the tasks through our consulting and IT solutions has brought us significant growth in recent years. Megatrends such as “Digital Change” and “Industry 4.0″ are key topics that are currently profoundly changing our industries. The careful and efficient use of resources of all kinds is at the forefront for our customers and moves ProCom. I look forward to sharing this expansion course with Dr. Nolden and our team.”