Keeping up the Pace

Mechasoft could upgrade its Groove Milling Machines to Industry 4.0 capability through ifm electronic India’s timely intervention. Here’s how it happened…

Established in the year 2004, Mechasoft is well known in the industrial sector for its Special Purpose Machines. The company has an ultra-modern facility equipped with high-speed Vertical Machining Centers, Surface Grinders, Micro Finishing Wire EDMs, Sink EDMs with a good support of advanced design software like Unigraphics, Powermill and many more. It also manufactures in-house ma-chines compatible for Industry 4.0 applications.

Going with the Flow

With more and more Indian companies embracing emerging advanced technologies to improve their capabilities and compete better, Mechasoft too planned on implementing Industry 4.0 solutions.

ifm electronic India Pvt Ltd is the market leader in Industry 4.0/IO-Link products. It was a sheer coincidence that the company approached Mechasoft when it was planning to upgrade its Groove Milling Machines to Industry 4.0 capability.

Implementation of Industry 4.0

Upgrading Groove Milling Machines to Industry 4.0 capability for their customers was the main target of Mechasoft.

Tushar Kulkarni, Managing Partner, Mechasoft, Ichalkaranji, speaks on the challenges on the way, “Incorporating the Industry 4.0 concept on the machines and fulfilling the requirements of our customers was a huge challenge. Collecting the data from machine through sensors, generating it through PLCs and displaying on smart devices was not an easy task for us. It all came together with ifm electronic India team helping us in this project by selecting the right type of sensors and interface through machines.”

The upgrade was possible with the ifm’s package of Smart PLCs, IO-Link Modules and IO-Link based sensors for level, temperature, oil pressure, spindle vibration monitoring and counter balance pressure monitoring which was installed in the machine.

ifm’s smart PLC controls send live data via Wi-Fi on connected devices such as the mobile phone, tablet, desktop or laptop. “Apart from this, cycle time, job counting, data logging and values are all available on a customized web page from ifm electronic. This helps to monitor critical operation and machine parameters, making predictive maintenance of machines possible,” informs Kulkarni.

With the introduction of Industry 4.0, the cycle time, job counting, and data logging have become easily accessible, which helps in maximizing the company’s production output.

“We have continued our association with ifm India team and have successfully worked on several projects together like manless forging line where distance sensors and curtain sensors are highly effective,” he adds.

“The first machine’s success has brought in several inquiries. Immense thanks to Bipin Jirge and Shinde of ifm India for their valued contribution,” says Kulkarni.

Knowing the Force Behind

With more than 5,200 employees in more than 70 countries worldwide, ifm electronic gmbh is one of the leading manufacturers in the automation industry. In 1994, the family-owned international company opened a branch in India. ifm realized the potential of the Indian economy at an early point in time and, therefore, is one of the first German companies in the country.

ifm electronic offers a wide range of ‘Made in Germany’ product range catering to various industry segments such as Machine Tools, Dairy, Food & Brewery, Automobile, Steel & Coal, Mobile Machines etc.

“Incorporating the Industry 4.0 concept on the machines and fulfilling the requirements of our customers was a huge challenge. It all came together with ifm electronic India team helping us in this project by selecting the right type of sensors and interface through machines.”

Tushar Kulkarni
Managing Partner
Mechasoft, Ichalkaranji

Challenge

Mechasoft wanted to upgrade its Groove Milling Machines to Industry 4.0 capability.

Solution

ifm electronic India installed its package of Smart PLCs, IO-Link Modules and IO-Link based sensors for level, temperature, oil pressure, spindle vibration monitoring and counter balance pressure monitoring in the machines.

With the introduction of Industry 4.0, the cycle time, job counting and data logging have become easily accessible, which helps in maximizing the company’s production output.