piaLineController: The system in focus

Published on Mar 20, 2019

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The piaLineController is a powerful, superordinate system combining traceability, type management and analysis options.

The piaLineController is a database-supported host computer system for controlling production processes and collecting process data. All data, including the system configuration, are stored in the associated database. Data keeping is the core piece of the LineController since all items of information are managed here. Additionally, the host computer system offers functions typical of an MES, like backtracking of manufactured products, locking the manufacturing process and identifying weak points. The PIA LineController is already used successfully in more than 100 projects.

Using a visualization and user interface of the LineController, the operator obtains an overview of the equipment condition, can retrieve measuring results and create statistics and carry out maintenance work. The application calls up the necessary data from the database. Since there is no direct connection between the LineServer and the LineMonitor, the visualization can also be started on remote computers.

Claude Eisenmann (PIA Automation Bad Neustadt)

"The piaLineController is already used successfully in more than 100 projects".

The basic functions of the LineController include traceability of workpieces, type/rec management and process data evaluation options.

  • Traceability: A unique serial number is allocated to each workpiece at the outset of the production process. All process data of this workpiece are assigned to this number and stored in the project database. Thus, you can retrieve and call up the current status and the process data of this workpiece. The traceability function has answers to many questions of the user, e.g. what was the time of manufacture of a certain part, or which value was recorded by the force-distance measuring function on the test station.
  • Type management: A recipe describes all process parameters which are required for the production of a specific type. In addition to parameters and desired values, also the material flow to be applied and the parts list (batches) are assigned to this recipe. Any number of recipe parameters can be created, configured and freely assigned to stations. Old recipe versions are archived in order to make available to the user the set manufacturing parameters when tracking back related products.
  • Process evaluations: The evaluation and analysis functions provide information on the number of tests carried out, the error rates and the error distribution. In Pareto analyses, you can for instance identify the biggest causes for high scrap rates. Furthermore, you can determine the First Pass Yield) by station or test step. Numeric results can be displayed and evaluated graphically. Various filters facilitate precise selection of the workpiece to be analyzed: The evaluation can be delimited on particular time segments, serial number ranges, specific stations, types and batches.