MDC / Machine Data Control - Is it worth it? Which is the best software?

[msayani2]

I have a query :

 

Our shop is looking at implementing DNC & MDC (machine data collection). Reasons:

 

1. DNC - no viruses and good program version control/proven program database management

2. MDC - to monitor our issues on the shopfloor.

 

Now, Here are my questions:

 

1. I got some quotes for the DNC + MDC packages and was wondering if the prices i was getting was way too high ($24-30k for ~28 CNCs)? I only got quotes from CIMCO.

2. Is MDC worth it? What should I look out for ? 

3. For those that have got an MDC solution, how much did it cost / what was the ROI time for it?

4. Which the the best DNC  & MDC software on the market ? Predator? CIMCO? Multi-DNC? DloG? or something else?

 

I appreciate the help.

 

 

[crazy^millman]

I have a query :

 

Our shop is looking at implementing DNC & MDC (machine data collection). Reasons:

 

1. DNC - no viruses and good program version control/proven program database management

2. MDC - to monitor our issues on the shopfloor.

 

Now, Here are my questions:

 

1. I got some quotes for the DNC + MDC packages and was wondering if the prices i was getting was way too high ($24-30k for ~28 CNCs)? I only got quotes from CIMCO.

2. Is MDC worth it? What should I look out for ? 

3. For those that have got an MDC solution, how much did it cost / what was the ROI time for it?

4. Which the the best DNC  & MDC software on the market ? Predator? CIMCO? Multi-DNC? DloG? or something else?

 

I appreciate the help.

 

Why haven't you got quotes from others besides CIMCO? Awesome product, but if you have only got a quote from them you have pretty much locked yourself int only going to use them. You accept the price at what it is implement and move on. Right at $2k a machine seems fair to me.

[msayani2]

Its mostly due to the support for the rest of the products here. I can get the other products as long as I give up on getting local support.

 

If the other products are better, I can get quotes from a close by country.

 

I'm still in the process of getting other quotes..however I would like to know if this price range is right and how the other products are compared to cimco? Which solution regardless to support is the best? A list of top MDC vendors would work fine.

 

FYI-the company is a job shop with small to large prdcn batches.

[msayani2]

Furthermore, most MDC vendors in my area are selling cimco or their own inhouse DNC software at around $90 per machine

[msayani2]

Also what is the expected ROI time?

 

Is MDC worth it over the $300 per machine for DNC?

[Josh Kinney -Elite Engineering]

This is a good product and the subscription service is a great option. Does Fanuc Focas and MTConnect.

 

http://www.scytec.com/

[PAnderson]

Predator!

[Jayson Kramer]

Now are you looking at wireless or wired Allot of what you are paying for is install to setup to talk with all the machines. 28 machines that is allot of machines.
I am not sure were you are located by who is quoting you, but that sounds like a good price. I would say get a quote from the predator dealer and compare

(Is MDC worth it over the $300 per machine for DNC?) I would say yes if your trying to keep an eye on what is truly running and get true running times and a way to see that both shifts are running efficient. are looking at adding bar-code scanning to?

[msayani2]

^Thanks for the information. We are looking at a wired solution as we have already done the wiring ourselves for the connections. We went wired to reduce cost of wireless controllers/implementation and more importantly reliability.

 

 

1. Any idea on the approx. ROI for an MDC solution? Will the company recover the money in 1 year? I know it would vary but what is a realistic timeframe i should look at?

 

2 .Which is the best DNC/MDC software in the market currently? Reliable, cost effective, user friendly, useful features and fast speed.

[crazy^millman]

One crash one error can be costly. ROI could be 5 minutes or 5 years. Peace of mind? What is that worth?

[msayani2]

ok. LAST QUESTION - Which is the best DNC & MDC software in the market currently?

[robk]

I don't know what the "best" DNC & MDC software is... We use Cimco DNCMax7 and MDCMax7. Works for us.

[Jayson Kramer]

I am biased but I have used both and sold both and I go Cimco that I sell now.

[Jayson Kramer]

ROI on MDC is hard to define. really. but if you look at the info collect over say the first 6months and compare to what you thought for say were the correct run times and how long it took over all to make a pacific part you may find you are making more then thought or find you are making less. That right there can be a large peace of information for your company to have.

[msayani2]

Sorry for the late response.. I was out on vacation for a whole month.

 

^ Jay I'm assuming you were comparing CIMCO and Predator when you said you prefer CIMCO over the two products.

 

One more question - How much would CIMCO MDM (previously called PDM) cost? Also: How does it better than NC Base? Please note that I don't have a PC next to each machine.