LINK Systems LinkNet II - Manual (Page 9)

Section 1 Introduction
The Link Systems Network Application (LinkNet 2) provides detailed monitoring of stamping
operations utilizing Link equipment. Supported equipment includes the OmniLink 5000 press control
and associated option modules, the System 1100 tonnage monitor, and MicroLink operator terminal
(both alone and when used with a MultiSet). By using a simple to wire “daisy chained” cable
arrangement to attach these units to an Intel based personal computer running Microsoft Windows, a
wealth of information can be gathered automatically.
1.1 Features
• Average tonnage, highest good tonnage, and lowest good tonnage are collected (from equipment
with tonnage monitors) in 10-minute intervals. This gives a good view of the consistency of the
production process.
• Production Rate is collected in 10-minute intervals. The production rate is also factored into
summary information for press utilization calculations versus standard rate. Production rate is
captured two ways:
• Actual Average
- This is the actual average production rate over the scheduled time
the press is run.
• Production Average - This is the average production rate when the press is actually
running. This number indicates the typical stroking rate that the press is set to run.
• Down time codes and down time categories may be defined. A description for each down time
code can be typed in once at the computer and the descriptions are downloaded to all Link
equipment on the network. The user may choose from the descriptions, not just the numeric
code, at the press.
• “Events” are recorded. Events are automatically logged in the same databases as down time
codes. Examples of events include tonnage alarms, bypass changes to tonnage monitor and die
protection, die protection faults, part counter limits, etc.
• Some of the statistics available in reports include average SPM, production SPM, average PPM,
production PPM, OEE, average efficiency (versus user defined standard), production efficiency
(versus user defined standard), average setup time, down time, total hours, production hours, and
percent production time.
• The above statistics are associated with date and time, shift, machine number, job number, tool
number, and run.
• All data is stored in industry standard Microsoft Access 2000 database files. These files can be
read from many common spreadsheets, reporting tools, visual basic, etc.
• Jobs may be stored and recalled to and from the host computer giving Link equipment attached
to the network essentially unlimited job storage
• Standard reports are provided by LinkNet to make the information gathered by the system more
accessible and easier to interpret.
Manual Version 1.1 10/28/2001 1.1