GF Machining Hits Milestone with rConnect

GF Machining Solutions Customer Services recently activated the 1,000th connection of its rConnect digital services platform. The 1,000th connection was established on an rConnect-ready Mikron Mill P 800 U high-performance milling solution at the FRAISA ToolSchool in Bellach, Switzerland.

The installation at FRAISA takes advantage of rConnect’s Live Remote Assistance (LRA) module, which links users’ machines to GF Machining Solutions’ diagnostic centers in real time. rConnect debuted in 2017 and continues to evolve with the addition of success-triggering modules.

“Fast reaction and recovery are required when machines are down. Delays in production and production downtime are very costly, so manufacturers need fast reaction times and reliable, fast, communication processes,” says Stéphane Cru, head of GF Machining Solutions’ Customer Services Center in Geneva. “Especially with time-critical incidents, long journeys to the customer’s site and the challenge of preparing service interventions with insufficient information can delay the recovery process.”

Volker Reichmann, Customer Services’ head of marketing and sales support, adds, “We are continuously expanding rConnect with new modules and apps—all with clear customer benefits.” Because rConnect is a cross-technology platform supporting GF Machining Solutions’ electrical discharge machining (EDM), milling and laser solutions, users of the platform reap benefits across all of these technologies.

From rConnect’s cockpit, daily information related to all machine activities—including direct access to the human-machine interface and file transfers—can be accessed by desktop or tablet. From the cockpit and with the LRA module, customers get fast, expert support on a secure channel for improved diagnostics, process and follow-up.

LRA benefits include increased machine uptime and efficiency through the user’s ability to remotely access machine parks—including the machines’ human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and computer numerical controls (CNCs). At the same time, LRA enables fast face-to-face assistance directly on a personal computer or tablet, ready-to-use features ranging from audio, video, chat and white board to file transfer and screen sharing, and full traceability due to tracking recorder log files.

The rConnect Messenger module allows users to access machine data from a mobile device, so they’re always connected to their machine parks. That means they see—in real time—the status of every connected machine and can supervise their workshops and monitor machine progress from everywhere. When an incident occurs, the user can easily send a service request to get a fast, effective diagnosis.