ZPM GmbH

FANUC Provides the Missing Link at ZPM

When ZPM wanted to increase its machine and robot utilisation, support the company’s vertically integrated manufacturing strategy and map its output more precisely, it turned to FANUC’s MT-LINK𝑖. With this advanced software, manufacturers like ZPM can supervise and manage data from one to 2,000 machines, robots and PLC systems.

Complex Machining for the Automotive Industry

Success Story ZPM about MT-LINKi - FANUC Germany
Duration: 02:31min
German with English subtitles

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Machine utilisation grew from 80% to over 90% following its adoption of MT-LINK𝑖.

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MT-LINK𝑖 supports the connection of both FANUC and third-party systems.

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MT-LINK𝑖 precisely maps production output.

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Control set-up time and document tool life.

Insights

Key Insights from Task to Result

Task

With its workload increasing, it was clear that ZPM needed to introduce a fully scalable, out-of-the-box production monitoring solution. However, the large number of machines and systems from different manufacturers at the company’s production facility in Germany, made it important to select a system that could provide brand-agnostic compatibility.

Solution

ZPM opted for MT-LINK𝑖 from FANUC, a system that can connect with machine tools, robots and PLCs from different vendors. MT-LINK𝑖 monitors and visualises data, while also providing the ability to communicate with an upper host system such as MES (manufacturing execution system). No special hardware is necessary, and set-up is quick and easy.

Result

With MT-LINK𝑖, ZPM is not only able to monitor machine downtime and break times, it can also control set-up time, and display and document tool life and other parameters more precisely. To provide an example of direct gains available, ZPM has seen its machine utilisation improve from 80% to over 90%.

Company

Zeulenroda Präzision Maschinenbau (ZPM)

With origins dating back to 1991, the headquarters and production facility of ZPM is in Zeulenroda-Triebes, near Zwickau, Germany. The company is equipped for small and medium quantities produced on standard machines, and mass production for the automotive industry using special machines. Adhering to the demands of quality, price and delivery, ZPM’s 10,100 m² production hall produces components and assembled units for printing, tooling and textile machines, along with plant construction equipment, hydraulic systems, and cars and commercial vehicles.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ZPM

Turned to FANUC’s MT-LINKi. ZPM can supervise with this advanced software and manage data from one to 2,000 machines, robots and PLC systems.

Story

FANUC MT-LINK𝑖 Helps ZPM Increase Machine Utilisation

“Since our formation in the early 1990s we’ve continued to grow and expand” says Robby Reussner, Managing Director of ZPM. “We now employ around 200 people and work for various industries. However, the automotive sector, where we started, still commands over 50% of our production.”

The company has been using MT-LINK𝑖 since 2019. This advanced software is a fully scalable machine tool monitoring solution that can supervise and manage data from one to 2,000 machines. However, there is far more to this advanced technology than first meets the eye.

“It’s not just a software program for machine tool monitoring; you can also integrate resources like robots, measuring machines and manual workstations, including those not from FANUC,” explains Reussner.

Thanks to FANUC’s MT-LINKi, ZPM can supervise with this advanced software and manage data from one to 2,000 machines, robots and PLC systems.

Robby Reussner

Managing Director

The connection of third-party devices with MT-LINK𝑖 arrives courtesy of standard interfaces such as OPC UA and MTConnect. ZPM enjoys a broad spread of benefits from using the system. For instance, the company can optimise break times and machine downtime, control set-up time, and display and document tool life and other parameters more precisely.

“Over the years, manufacturing technologies have become increasingly sophisticated and accurate,” says Reussner. “For this reason, we continuously invest in the latest machines and production solutions. The parts we make today are more and more precise in line with growing customer demands, which means automation has become highly important. We now manufacture on several production lines, many featuring robotics.”

ZPM has a FANUC ROBODRILL machining centre and six FANUC industrial robots on site, alongside a myriad of machines and technologies from other suppliers. FANUC’s MT-LINK𝑖 helps ZPM to increase its machine and robot utilisation, support the company’s vertically integrated production strategy, and map its throughput more accurately.

"System monitoring and control really helps with the variety of information that MT-LINK𝑖 makes available. It means we can continue improving, which of course leads to cost optimisation."

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