One of the most time consuming jobs
for a CNC programmer is management of their part programs and associated
production documents. NC-Base makes that job easier and goes one step further.
By providing programmers with an integrated and flexible search and editing tool
they can work more efficiently and effectively. When combined with DNC-Max the
job is even easier. DNC-Max can automatically import data into NC-Base,
including defining characteristics such as part number, description, operation,
etc., making the programmer’s job of reviewing and managing uploaded data less
of a chore. For operators on the shop floor, a view only version of the NC-Base
Client makes easy work of retrieving part programs and viewing production
documents in a paperless environment.
Discrete
part manufacturers, not matter what they machine, have to work with CNC programs
– every one of them, whether the programs are generated by an in-house
programming department our provided by vendors or third party programmers. Since
the beginning CIMCO has focused on tools that help manufacturers manage,
optimize, and distribute CNC programs.
Overview
NC-Base
allows users to store (CNC) programs and associated documents (including setup
sheets, tool lists, memo files, images, etc.) in a powerful SQL database. Users
can define up to nine (9) variables for each CNC program. For example, Part
Number, Description, Job Number(s), Operation, Revision, etc. Basic
functionality includes customizable search capabilities, customer database, file
locking and file approval, back-up capabilities, group and user-based security,
file preview, external application launching, and sophisticated database data
and maintenance tools. Additional capabilities include editing and integration
with CIMCO Edit communications (Professional Edition) and integration with
DNC-Max (if both NC-Base and DNC-Max are purchased).
NC-Base
is two applications; NC-Base Server and NC-Base Client. Both come in
Professional or Standard Edition
Who
uses NC-Base?
CNC
Programmers - CNC
programmers utilize NC-Base to manage all their part programs. With one central
part program database programmers can quickly retrieve, modify, and manage their
CNC programs from NC-Base Client, an integrated option for CIMCO Edit or
stand-alone program for NC-Base only features.
DNC-Administrators -
DNC-Administrators, often CNC programmers with an extra hat to wear, need a tool
that eliminates some of the file management tasks associated with any DNC
system. With NC-Base and DNC-Max you have one integrated system that allows for
auto-import, auto-update, and management of programs. DNC-Administrators can do
quick file compares of uploads with originals and backups and set files as
‘locked’ or ‘unapproved’
to control access to programs. Using the NC-Base Client Professional Edition
files can be viewed, editing, and organized quickly and
easily.
Shop
Floor Personnel
- NC-Base
Client provide users on the shop floor with a great interface for viewing
programs and associated production documentation quickly and easily. With
Professional Edition users may also edit programs, launch associated files (for
external viewing and/or markup), and transmit data to their
CNC(s).
Technology
NC-Base
is a native 32-bit Multitasking/Multithreaded application written in Microsoft
Visual C++ for Windows 9x, NT, 2000, and XP.
NC-Base
Database is an industry standard, open architecture SQL
database.
Capabilities
- Powerful
SQL Database Engine
capable of handling hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands
of programs and their associated production files
- Comphrehenseive
Search Functionality
modeled after the standard Microsoft search tool but enhanced for CNC
program searching
- Customizable
Data Fields of up
to nine (9) user-definable fields are available to categorize and manage
programs the way the customer wants
- Production
Document Management is
provided where customers can associate all forms of production documents with
their CNC programs including setup sheets, tool lists, memos (see templates
below), inspection notes, image files, etc. Includes integrated image viewing
(for standard file types) and the ability to launch external applications
and/or editors for viewing of proprietary or specialized file
formats.
- File
Templates are
provided for setup sheet, tool list, and memo. This feature automatically
creates the files, based on templates you create in CIMCO Edit, MS Word, an
HTML editor, etc.
- Backup
Controls
provide flexible and configurable backup capabilities including backup single
and multiple files, restore, and compare
- Approval
Controls allow
programmers to mark files as approved or unapproved thereby limiting access
for communications. An approval queue also offers a quick tool for programmers
to see which files, if any, are present in a queue to be reviewed for
approval
- Locking
Controls allow
programmers to lock files to control editing and communication
access
- User/Group
Management - Rights Controls are
designed into NC-Base allowing you to limit access and control what each
individual user or group is able to work with inside the NC-Base
Client
- Machine
Groups
allows
administrators to create groups for machines/ports for association with part
programs. Works with CIMCO Edit Professional Edition communication ports as
well as DNC-Max (NC-Base Server Professional Edition) ports. Users are then
able to initiate ‘send’ transfers from within the NC-Base Client
interface.
- Automated
Import
eliminates the need for programmers to manually input programs during the
initial installation or as programs are created inside CIMCO Edit or
auto-received from DNC-Max
- Integrated
Interface Inside CIMCO Edit
allowing customers to work within one environment for both editing and
managing their CNC programs and associated
documents
Extended
Capabilities
Integration
with CNC communications is critical for full CNC program management. NC-Base has
that covered with two powerful
capabilities:
- Ethernet
(Networked) Control Support
includes
support for auto-import of programs into NC-Base when saved off from networked
(TCP/IP, etc.) CNC controls
-
Seemless
Integration with DNC-Max
is available, extending the capabilties of both systems for the most advanced,
automated file management anywhere
Frequently
Asked Questions:
Q:
NC-Base is defined as a CNC program managment tool. Could NC-Base be utilized
as a Job Management tool, for customers looking for a paperless shop floor
system?
A:
Yes.
Because of the flexibility of NC-Base in it’s current form it may be utilized
many different ways. For a more ‘job-based’ system the customer would a) define
a Job Number field in NC-Base Client Setup. The capabilities are there to
store user definable information such as Job Number, Operation, Revision, Cycle
Time (EST), Quantity Required, etc.
NOTE:
Job Management requires reporting to be truly effective. Since no reporting is
currently available in NC-Base the system is most effective for program
management. Ultimately, NC-Base is all about the programs, part
programs.
Q:
Is integration with other database applications possible with
NC-Base?
A:
Yes and No. Yes, as an SQL based system it is possible to interface and/or
integrate with other database systems and applications. However, asking this
question is sort of like asking if you can load software on a PC. The answer is
yes but what exactly are you wanting to accomplish? The answer is also no, again
depending on what you want to accomplish. If you have any doubt, call us. We
would be happy to discuss your ideas to determine if integration makes
sense.
Evaluating
NC-Base...
If
you are interested in evaluating NC-Base click on the download below. NC-Base is
installed with the same installation routine for DNC-Max (as 95% of our European
customers utilize both). If you do not wish to install DNC-Max simply uncheck
the box for DNC-Max Server and DNC-Max Client when prompted in the installation
wizard and check CIMCO Edit (required for the NC-Base Client), and
NC-Base.
