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NEW! Predator CNC Editor 2005 available in August!  

See our MDC Xpress (Manual Data Collection)  |  View MDC Feature Grid    

OPTIONAL FEATURES
Machine Tool Monitoring
Custom Reports and Charts
Custom Data Collection

MDC Adapters

Oracle
SQL
VB SDK
JAVA SDK
C++ SDK

Partial List of Reports, Charts & Graphs

OPTIONAL HARDWARE
Bar Code Readers

BTRs

Hand Held Terminals

Grizzly Cable™

CNC Adapters

Serial Port Devices



CNC Compatible

Partial List of Manufacturers Using Predator Software

• Collect data using an input device such as a CNC or a bar code reader
• Store information in Access, Oracle or SQL
• Analyze data using one of over 50 reports and graphs
• Make smart business decisions based on your shop floor feedback

What data does it collect? Some sample data collected include:

• Job and Setup time

• Cycle or Spindle time

• Down time with reasons

• Idle time

• Machine time

• Personnel time with shifts

• Quantities and Scrap

• Part Numbers and Part Families

• Operations

Manufacturing Data Collection Need to track personnel and monitor your machine tool activity? Predator MDC (Manufacturing Data Collection), collects and reports on your three most important resources, your jobs, people, and machines. Milliseconds after the data is input, it becomes available enterprise-wide via reports and charts that accurately reflect the current state of shop floor productivity. For example, the Machine Status report displays the current state of every machine including if it is idle, in setup, production, or down. In addition, it displays the current job number and machine operator. Predator MDC can simultaneously monitor up to 256 CNCs per PC.

Real-time Answers Have questions about your shop floor productivity? With the motto, "You can only improve what you measure," Predator MDC helps improve manufacturing processes by empowering decision makers with answers to many of manufacturing's toughest questions.

• What jobs or parts are actually in production?

• How many pieces have been scrapped?

• Who is currently making parts? Which Shift?

• How is production time used?

• Which machines are actually making parts? In setup? 
  Down? Or idle?

• What stops production?

• What does downtime cost?

Answers to the above can be displayed from any PC with the ability to drill down to any level of detail. For example, a manufacturing engineer is the United States can query the status of an individual machine in Mexico to find out if it is currently in setup, making parts or down for maintenance. Answers are kept indefinitely and current results can be compared with previous job or part runs. Real-time answers leveraged against actual production history is becoming critical as enterprises go global. Answers based on actual manufacturing details facilitate faster decisions and increase productivity for every manufacturer.



Flexible Data Collection Need to collect data using a wide range of methods? Predator MDC can collect data from paper-based forms, networked PCs, bar code readers, paper, CNC machines, and a wide range of common manufacturing equipment. Input methods can be used individually or combined to form a specific data collection process to support assembly and machining-based manufacturing.

Manufacturing-Specific Data Collection Tired of generic data collection solutions? Predator MDC is designed for manufacturers.  It maximizes the unique capabilities of CNC machine and other shop floor devices to automate the data collection process. General purpose applications just don't provide enough details. With Predator MDC, every report and graph is designed to quickly convey manufacturing-specific answers.



Reports and Graphs Want real-time reports and graphs on your shop floor productivity? Predator MDC includes more than 50 standard reports and graphs. Each report and graph has numerous options and filters to drill down to the appropriate level of detail. For example, the Machine Status report can be filtered to a specific department, location, group, and machine. In addition, all charts have lots of customization options to reformat the chart display. All reports can be exported to Microsoft Excel ® or HTML documents for further analysis or processing.

View a partial list of Reports, Charts & Graphs 

Database Flexibility Frustrated with proprietary database engines? Predator MDC includes support for Oracle ®, Microsoft Access ® and SQL Server. Choose the database platform that is most appropriate for your needs. Predator MDC is designed to be flexible. Support for multiple manufacturing plants with a single database or multiple databases per facility is standard.



Integrated Solution Tired of manufacturing software that does not work together? Predator MDC is a member of a suite of applications that are designed to share data and resources. Each application shares a common design philosophy based on Predator’s unique under-standing of manufacturing processes. Other Predator applications include Predator DNC™, Predator Desktop™, Predator Traveler™, Predator Tool Crib™, Predator Gage Crib™, and Predator Virtual CNC™.



MDC Clients Want client PCs to collect data or run reports? On the shop floor, Predator MDC clients can collect data in a real-time or summarized method. In addition, engineers or management can use Predator MDC clients to run reports or graphs. An unlimited number of MDC clients can be run simultaneously or work together with other Predator client applications. MDC Clients work within your network structure and include full security so you can control who has access to input or report on the information.



Data Collection Objects Need to collect data from a wide range of resources? Optionally, date and time stamp everything that's important to you. Predator MDC leverages the power of Predator DNC's or Desktop's unique command wizard and object manager to create specific data collection functionality to match your requirements.



Machine Tool Monitoring Want to automate your data collection methods? Combine Predator MDC™ with Predator DNC™ or Predator Desktop™ to leverage your existing DNC network for automatic software-based machine monitoring. Your existing Predator bar code readers, DNC hubs, Flex series hubs, Grizzly Cable™ , and other appropriate network components are extended to support MDC. Predator MDC's software-based machine monitoring solves many problems that are inherent to hardware-based monitoring. The Predator-based solution is open and not proprietary. It is easy to install, and eliminates cutting wires in your CNC control, voiding warranties, and ongoing maintenance concerns. Automatic data collection improves the accuracy of the data and minimizes the amount of input necessary from shop floor personnel.

Custom Reports and Charts Want to create your own reports or charts? Custom reports and graphs that compare estimated data from accounting, ERP or MRP systems versus actual data can be developed with several third party reporting and charting tools, such as Crystal Reports and Microsoft Access.
 

Custom Data Collection Have a custom or unique requirement? Predator MDC offers several optional SDKs, or software development kits, to enable anyone familiar with Visual Basic, Java or C++ to interface other applications, create custom MDC objects, or develop specific shop floor solutions. With our unique command wizard you will be able to leverage all of Predator MDC's existing capabilities and only develop what is necessary for your specific requirements.

Reduce or Eliminate

• Setup time

• Downtime

• Unscheduled machine maintenance

• Manual data input (MDI)

• Scrap

• PLCs

• Voiding machine warranties with proprietary hardware

Who uses MDC?

• Shop Owners

• Shop Foremen

• Manufacturing Managers

• Manufacturing Engineers

• Shop Lead Personnel

• CNC Programmers

• Machinists

• Operators