ESAB launches ESAB Cloud Services for online data management

The factory of the future links together all of its machine ecosystems. By connecting CutCloud and WeldCloud, ESAB provides manufacturers and fabricators with seamless integration. As a company that excels in cutting, welding and automation, ESAB is well positioned to offer the industry's broadest solutions for online data management.

WeldCloud and CutCloud use an open-architecture. This enables a customer to interlink all of the production data in a business, across all departments. This also brings complete transparency to production flows, including order processing, process times and more, so users can see immediately where productivity enhancements are possible.

CutCloud is an extension of ESAB's well-known DataLeap software modules, which give users an overview of all production flows, an insight into all manufacturing processes and specific indications of untapped potential for optimisation in production.

Holger Hahn, Global Product Marketing Manager Application Software, ESAB, says: "Cloud technology enables users of ESAB cutting systems equipped with Vision Series controls to access all DataLeap tools on any network-enabled device, and it will automatically receive software as well as other cutting technology update notifications and download updates and deploy them to all machines in the future."

With DataLeap and CutCloud, users can:

• Monitor manufacturing performance of ESAB cutting machines automatically and link data to scheduled order and part data for full traceability on material and parts
• Transfer data automatically (instead of manually inputting information into production processes and record results) and automatically generate higher-quality reports
• Make real-time responses to production floor activities
• Record and visualise events and errors on ESAB cutting machines
• Fully integrate nesting, cutting and ERP systems with automatic data transfer of order data and production status

Award-winning software

Prevailing over 160 innovations presented, ESAB's WeldCloud online data management system won the Innovation Award in the "Digital Tools" category at Industrie Lyon 2017. ESAB's WeldCloud online data management system took the winning spot for its ability to provide digital systems that optimise welding and associated manufacturing activities.

Roul Kierkels, Global Product Manager DDA & WeldCloud, ESAB says: "There are many worthy offerings in the welding community that provide Industry 4.0 capabilities, but we believe WeldCloud has several key, customer-driven benefits that set it apart from other systems."

First, WeldCloud data resides in one comprehensive database, located within a user's firewalls and not in a proprietary or provider-controlled cloud. Users have more peace of mind when they control their own data. Second, WeldCloud features an open-architecture design for communication and analytics. Companies can use them as stand-alone software or integrate with other business intelligence systems, such as Power BI, SAP, QlikView and Tableau.

Third, WeldCloud polls at a frequency of 1Hz to provide essentially real-time reporting; competitive reporting systems poll at 60- or 92-second intervals. Coupled with the new ability to calculate and display deposition rate and heat input from automated and mechanised welding applications (as well as volts, amps, watts, wire feed speed and travel speed), WeldCloud offers immediate and greater insight into welding data. Lastly, WeldCloud benefits a range of stakeholders - operations managers, quality managers, engineers, welders, maintenance staff, training supervisors and others - versus only higher-level personnel.

Expanded functionality

New WeldCloud functions include the ability to remotely adjust welding parameters for systems equipped with ESAB's U82 controller with built-in web server option, the ability to create a more intuitive and in depth scanning wizard, enabling even better traceability of multiple parameters that directly affect weld quality and productivity, as well as the ability to capture data from multi-head submerged arc applications.

WeldCloud enables data-driven decision making so that fabricators and manufacturers can move the true levers of productivity and quality, as well as make better use of working capital. ESAB offers WeldCloud on its Aristo Mig 4004i Pulse semi-automatic, Aristo Mig 5000iR robotic and LAF/TAF sub arc welding systems. Users can purchase these systems WeldCloud-ready, and ESAB can retrofit some existing systems with a communication module. More than a data recording system, WeldCloud enables a wealth of analytics so users can:

• Facilitate traceability from single welds to the complete product because the core of the system is a comprehensive database containing key information of every weld seam
• Develop weld schedules on a single machine, move them into the cloud and then push them out to other welding systems
• Remotely manage welding parameters, set limits and set alarms for deviations
• Monitor and act upon various productivity reports across operations in disparate locations
• Increase responsiveness of repair and maintenance operations by instantly receiving alerts from WeldCloud-enabled machines in your fleet, effectively lowering your overall machine down time
• Share and analyse data by teams across multiple data collection sites, using any computer, tablet or smart phone connected to the same internal network as the welding systems and database

For more information about ESAB Cloud Services, visit www.esab.com.