FANUC Announces New Machine Learning Tool for Predictive Maintenance

Downtime is the enemy of profitability in manufacturing, according to FANUC America Corp. The company today said its new Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT, software is designed to prevent production problems before they occur. AI Servo Monitor uses artificial intelligence to predict possible failures of the drive systems for FANUC servomotors and spindle motors.

“The power of IIoT software is that it detects a failure before it happens, not after,” said Jon Heddleson, general manager of factory automation at FANUC America. “Predictive maintenance is key in preventing unexpected downtime. FANUC’s AI Servo Monitor helps ensure that production keeps running smoothly.”

FANUC America is a subsidiary of Japan-based FANUC Corp., which provides computer numerical controls (CNCs), robots, and ROBOMACHINE accessories. The Rochester Hills, Mich.-based company said small shops to large assembly operations rely on its automation to improve productivity, increase quality, maximize profits, and maintain a competitive edge.

FANUC software works with MT-LINKi

In conjunction with the MT-LINKi software, AI Servo Monitor uses machine learning to analyze the daily performance of machines equipped with FANUC CNCs. It displays daily data in intuitive graphs, allowing users to easily monitor abnormalities in these machines, said the company.

MT-LINKi connects and checks the status of shop-floor equipment, including machine tools, robots, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The software monitors, collects, and presents data in color-coded graphical representations of the factory floor to provide more information about manufacturing processes, as well as historical data.

Non-FANUC CNCs, PLCs, and various sensors can be connected using MTConnect or OPC-UA protocol, FANUC said.

AI Servo Motor rates anomalies

Information presented via MT-Linki enables data-driven business decisions to optimize operations, claimed FANUC. It provides enhanced maintenance capabilities such as scheduling memory backups; presenting alarm/operator history; and monitoring the status of memory backup batteries, cooling fans, motor temperatures, etc.

AI Servo Motor automatically creates a baseline model of the machine while it runs in a "normal" state. An “anomaly score” expresses any difference between the baseline model and the daily recorded values, FANUC said.

On a Web interface, AI Servo Motor users can easily see the anomaly scores in a graph, according to the company. In addition, the IIoT system can issue e-mail notifications if this value exceeds predefined thresholds.