In the new manufacturing reality, shops in search of solutions to their most complex and vexing challenges look for the right advanced technologies. Seco Tools constantly uses its partnership with technology suppliers to identify the latest high-performance manufacturing products and help our customers improve productivity. In doing so, we expand our horizons to new digital initiatives in product areas outside our traditional playing field.

As showcased during IMTS, Seco is introducing new services, including machine monitoring, to help our customers realize the benefits of Industry 4.0. Seco has partnered with MachineMetrics to implement machine monitoring in our own manufacturing facility in Troy, MI, which performs a large amount of 5-axis machining. Now, we can offer our customers services that help them capture and more easily mine their data to improve operational efficiency and identify production bottlenecks. “MachineMetrics has given us valuable insights into our own Custom Products facility in Troy, MI, allowing us to reduce our lead time while improving on-time delivery and quality. Now, partnering with MachineMetrics, we see the opportunity to do the same for our customers,” says Rob Keenan, President of Seco Tools North America. “By analyzing data output from machine tools, we can deploy our technical experts to work closely with our customers to identify issues that lead to extended machine down time.” These insights may include predicting tool life, preventing tool breakage and optimizing feeds and speeds.

As a cloud-based platform, MachineMetrics allows manufacturers to collect, monitor and analyze data from any and all types of machines, from anywhere and with any Internet-connected device.

Despite the ongoing digital manufacturing transformation, most manufacturers lack visibility into their production, which leads to equipment underutilization, production inefficiencies and communication problems. Capturing data is the only way to optimize production capacity, which is the primary driver behind Seco’s partnership with MachineMetrics. This new consultancy service is designed to help customers identify all the factors that affect their bottom line and use that information productively.