PiWeb from Zeiss Metrology:  Quality Data Management with Easy Reporting

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2017-03-20 12:34:00

ZEISS PiWeb is a best-in-class graphical reporting system which instantly translates quality or process data into valuable insights.

Highlights

• Scalable quality data management
• Manufacturer-independent and flexible: supports many data types such as DMO, DFQ, CSV, TXT, PCN and many more
• Easy generation of even complex report templates
• Simple and fast knowledge sharing through intuitive reports in real time
• Interactive access to CAD displays, detailed information and additional data with a single mouse click
• Extensive statistical evaluations
• Secure internet access via https connection
• Modern, high-performance database technology

PiWeb and its essential features

• PiWeb is an interesting tool for all industries requiring the evaluation of large data volumes. With the use of PiWeb, you achieve both higher quality and lower costs.
• The high degree of automation in production leads to continuously increasing data volumes. The measurement data and process data acquisition intervals are becoming shorter and shorter.
• To achieve the maximum benefit from this data flood, it is necessary to evaluate these data reliably and quickly.
• With the PiWeb software, your quality and process data can be analyzed in real time, evaluated and graphically represented.
• Efficient and optimum production monitoring is possible. The time between the acquisition and evaluation is minimized. Errors can be identified immediately. Thus you can react very quickly.
• The results of the measurements are directly converted into correction values for the production. This saves time and reduces the possible risk of errors.
• Quality and process data are represented at the same time. Relationships and weaknesses can be identified immediately.
• Potential sources of error or existing anomalies can be recognized within seconds during production, and targeted measures can be taken.

Single workstation solutions

ZEISS PiWeb is available in four configurations. ZEISS PiWeb reporting already offers professional reporting and displays the value progression of the last ten measurements. ZEISS PiWeb reporting plus allows statistical evaluations of up to 1,000 measurements and measuring system analyses.

Networked solutions

For collecting data from several measuring machines and other data sources, ZEISS offers the database solutions ZEISS PiWeb sbs and ZEISS PiWeb enterprise. ZEISS PiWeb sbs has been designed for quality data management in measuring rooms and small companies. ZEISS PiWeb enterprise is focused on large companies and is also suitable for multi-site and global data collection.

All required data in one report. Access anywhere and everywhere.

The ZEISS PiWeb network solutions save quality data and other product-related data on a central server. Via a secure internet connection, this data can be accessed from any location and displayed in the form of reports. This means that quality data from a large number of measuring machines from different manufacturers are available on a global scale – and in real time. 

PiWeb – Real Time Process Control

• PiWeb provides you with a flexible system solution made by Carl Zeiss.
• With the PiWeb software, your quality and process data can be analyzed in real time, evaluated and graphically represented.
• In contrast to traditional systems, the generated reports are not equipment-specific but product-specific.
• Potential sources of error or existing anomalies can be recognized within seconds during production. Nor more time-consuming searching in comprehensive measurement records.
• PiWeb analyzes and evaluates your process-relevant data in real time. Any reactions, such as the creation of a message when exceeding the tolerance, take place automatically.
• Thus, the evaluation of all characteristics of a product is possible over several production stages. The data of different workpieces can be shown in one report.
• PiWeb enables uniform evaluation of quality standards and efficient use of production tolerances.
• The number of sites and the location of the company are not important. The quality and process data are stored in a central database which can be accessed (throughout the world) using modern web service interfaces.
• PiWeb is an interesting tool for all industries requiring the evaluation of large data volumes. With the use of PiWeb, you achieve both higher quality and lower costs.
• PiWeb is scalable. This allows smaller companies or suppliers as well as automobile manufacturers to benefit from the use of PiWeb.
• PiWeb can be easily integrated into existing portals and evaluation programs and, accordingly, it is also possible to integrate other applications and components in PiWeb.
• Apart from the PiWeb multi-station system, comprising the PiWeb Monitor, PiWeb Reporter, and PiWeb Planner modules, Carl Zeiss also offers PiWeb FlexReporting as a single-station system.

Recognize quality factors

Process data from production can also be processed by ZEISS PiWeb. This makes it possible to analyze the causal relationship between process parameters and quality characteristics. This knowledge will help you, for example, to prevent production errors and increase tool service life.

PiWeb technology

PiWeb is a service-oriented system. All modules communicate via web services. This modern technology makes it possible to easily integrate PiWeb in customer-specific IT systems. 

PiWeb offer a number of modules for the realization of large projects. Apart from the integration in an existing web portal, the direct connection of suppliers is also possible. The technology used provides maximum system security.

All essential interfaces are open and can be easily integrated into other systems. Contact us and we will help you to find solutions for your special requirement.

PiWeb applications

The following examples show linked to process and measurement data. Existing weaknesses can be detected immediately, and the corresponding measures can be taken to improve the quality.

1. Production of sheet metal parts
2. Production of probes (Carl Zeiss IMT)
3. Multi-site junction of quality data

Production of sheet metal parts

The temperature of the welding gun has an effect on the deformation of a car body part. This relationship becomes transparent as the welding current intensity and the measurement values are shown in one report.

When machine data and workpiece data are linked, the tolerances can be safely used. PiWeb immediately visualizes relationships in production. Process and measurement data are available at a glance and process parameters can thus be individually monitored and optimized. To minimize the quantity of faulty parts, stable processes during production are required. 

Productions of probes (Carl Zeiss IMT)

The example shows the correlation of process parameters and measurement values.

In the past, probes have repeatedly been outside their range of specifications. The acceptance reports were checked but no error source could initially be detected. The introduction of PiWeb made it possible to represent data relating to the receipt of goods and data relating to the acceptance in one report. A relation between the spring rigidity and the failed sensors was detected and an additional test step prior to the final mounting was introduced. Thus, it was possible to redefine production tolerances and reject faulty parts in time.
PiWeb leads to a considerable process optimization and enormous cost savings.

Multi-site junction of quality data

The production of, e.g. car body parts, requires that the data of different sites are grouped and represented in one report. PiWeb makes it possible to evaluate and visualize data acquired with different measuring and testing equipment. This is a real time acquisition in different sites. The relevant characteristics are centrally defined and are valid throughout the world. Uniformly defined reports can use the data of all sites. Incoming goods inspections in the factories can be minimized.

By: Avinash Pandey

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