Monitoring Service Platform suits machine tool industry

Internet-based ePS Network Services supports maintenance processes while simultaneously forming platform for cross-company service and support between OEMs and machine operators. Service provides detailed information for localization of machine faults and can send service personnel notifications by email or text message if fault occurs. Direct connection to Internet with web browser allows data to be analyzed via servers as well as remote machine control.

CHICAGO, August 11, 2005 - ePS Network Services from Siemens is offering the machine tool market powerful IT infrastructures and service packages that build on each other to provide simpler, safer and more efficient methods for performing service and maintenance.

ePS Network Services is an Internet-based service from Siemens that supports maintenance processes while simultaneously forming a platform for cross-company service and support between OEMs and machine operators.

Any machine tool equipped with Siemens SINUMERIK 810D, 840D or 840Di CNCs, along with the Siemens PCU 50 industrial PC, Internet access and a standard web browser, can operate within this system.

By using ePS Network Services, customers will have detailed information much faster for the localization of machine faults, thus allowing for a faster analysis without needing direct access to the machine or influencing the production process. Service personnel can be notified by e-mail or text message, should a fault occur. A direct connection to the Internet with a web browser will allow data to be analyzed via the servers and even allow remote machine control.

Unplanned downtimes and maintenance costs are reduced when ePS is used for preventative maintenance. Standardized testing procedures can help machine operators and maintenance technicians to quickly determine a machine's condition. Continuous evaluation of the machine tool also makes it possible to identify trends and plan measures in advance.

Data security is guaranteed by restricting data to the servers that ePS provides and, in turn, are protected by firewall and virus scanners. Communication is only established from the machine and/or the PC server to the ePS servers and is protected from unauthorized access by 128-bit SSL encoding.