Excellerant Connects Machine Tools Across Brand and Protocol for Shopfloor Monitoring

Excellerant, a division of Macdac Engineering, is the name of a system designed to simplify data-driven manufacturing at the shopfloor level, connecting CNCs across brands to send data to MES and ERP systems. It builds on MTConnect, FANUC Focas, OPC-UA, Haas MNET Q Codes, and other machine control connecting protocols, even legacy CNC machines, the company says. This allows companies to link across systems while expanding and customizing the information they receive.

Although some control systems offer the ability to link devices of the same brand, manufacturing companies often have a variety of different control systems and a combination of older and newer machines, thus requiring a more universal solution. Excellerant is branded as one such solution.

Designed with the knowledge that products like Excellerant are only effective when staff are inclined to use them, the system is engineered for ease of use across work groups and operational levels. This is achieved through a simple graphical user interface, clear and logical functionality, and an array of convenient output types, the company says. Machine operators can communicate problems, request assistance and report progress at the touch of a button. Supervisors and managers can assess cycle time, downtime, and process status by job, machine type, operator and a host of other useful dimensions. Executives can run reports in real time with continuous and immediate feeds, from machine controllers to the ERP system. These capabilities enable timely assessments of progress, capacity and bottlenecks, fueling more accurate forecasts and dynamic scheduling.