Machine modernisation boosts your productivity and IT security

January 25, 2024

The mechanical components of your CNC machine often give you many decades of reliable service.
During that time, control and drive technologies continue to develop. So, once a control system becomes deprecated, it can often be a struggle to source spare parts and meet the latest IT security requirements.

Sinumerik 840D controls

If your CNC machine has a type 840D Sinumerik control, we recommend a retrofit to bring the controls right up to date again.

How we work

Our retrofits are based on a four-set plan:

• Evaluate – We start by evaluating your machine, taking into account all machine-specific conditions.
• Prepare – We add your specific data to the new control software and test the new control in-house.
• Execute – We commission the new control at your site. We will also ensure all IT security settings are optimised and provide guidance to your operators as needed.
• Instruct: after installation, we instruct your operators. They are given a brief explanation of the new interface and the differences in operation.

The control delivered will be a Sinumerik IPC427D, including Windows 10 and the NCU 572.5B module. We’ll also update the software to the latest version, in line with v4.7 for the 840D pl.
Your retrofitted machine is completely safe to connect to your company network and has high-speed USB connections. Just as important is the availability of the electronic components, which will now be safeguarded for the next 10 years.

Case study

We retrofitted a UNIPORT7 machine for a world-leading German manufacturer of filling and packaging systems. The old Windows 95-based Sinumerik MMC103 was replaced with a Sinumerik IPC427D running on Windows 10. We also upgraded the NCU with the latest Sinumerik 840D pl. Our customer now benefits once more from a convenient and high-quality programming and control system.

Photo 1: the operator desk before the retrofit, with a 10,4 inch display.
Photo 2: The same operator desk after the retrofit – with a 15,1 inch display, a new Qwerty keyboard and a control panel for the machine.

If your operators are using an outdated control system and you would like to explore your options, contact us at aftersales@unisign.com for free advice.

How you benefit

Here’s a quick recap of the benefits:

• Increased productivity thanks to the guaranteed availability of spare parts and state-of-the-art hardware.
• Enhanced IT security with the new Windows 10 operating system, which ensures secure integration with other IT systems.
• Enhanced features with the latest, HMI advanced software version.
• Minimum machine downtime as Unisign prepares the retrofit in-house.
• Software available in multiple languages.
• Remote diagnosis – the retrofit will add the option to carry out remote diagnosis via TeamViewer.
• Compatibility: your existing programmes work smoothly after the retrofit.

>> download the full case study on this retrofit as pdf-file