New app for MindSphere enhances availability of machine tools

With this cloud-based application (MindApp), machine tools worldwide at small or large production sites can be monitored, and their availability and productivity enhanced. With little effort, users gain transparency over machine utilisation and performance, and can thus reduce costs and improve service and maintenance. Furthermore, machine tool builders can start developing new digital services by selling machine hours, for instance. The app is particularly well-suited for the end customers of small to medium-sized original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

"Fleet Manager for Machine Tools" interfaces Sinumerik 840D sl controls to MindSphere in a simple and intuitive way (the support of other Siemens and third-party control systems is also planned). Once the machine tool is connected, the application allows the acquisition, analysis and visualisation of relevant machine data, thus gaining transparency in relation to the current production status and the evolution of the machines condition over time. As a result, downtimes can be reduced, service and maintenance processes optimised and productivity increased. 

"Fleet Manager for Machine Tools" is a MindApp that was developed specifically for the MindSphere industrial IoT platform. In addition to MindApps, Siemens offers a large number of "MindConnect" connectivity elements. The open ecosystem that results offers industrial companies the opportunity to leverage digital services from Siemens, for example in the areas of predictive maintenance, energy data management and resource optimisation. Moreover, manufacturers and machine builders can use the MindSphere platform to create their own digital services and applications. 

"Fleet Manager for Machine Tools" is one of the first applications for MindSphere. More MindApps are in planning.