Feasible lights-out processing standard

Any lights-out manufacturing operation -- whether in CNC precision machining or other production methods -- requires some basic knowledge to be successful:

All machines, including tools, peripherals, and programming, must work perfectly together. Equipment must be able to withstand continuous operation, ideally with the ability to self-monitor and automatically correct or shut down when problems occur.

The same is true of mechanisms used to feed material into equipment, transport coolant, remove debris, and unload finished products.

Contrary to the "no human" dream, remote monitoring by one person - again, being able to correct small problems or shut down systems when major ones occur - is an added advantage.

Perhaps most importantly, determining whether a machine can operate continuously with lights out requires finding out whether it provides the highest level of reliability. The goal is to have a Cpk of ≥1.67, i.e. 99.9999% of components that meet the requirements.

This (literally) allows for a failure rate of only one in a million.

Even if the machine can handle the lights-out operation, the accepted baseline is usually that lights-out is only a viable solution if it provides a return on investment within two years.

Please contact us at zhang@pride-cnc.com