Manufacturing facilities operating multiple machines and handling different production series rely on DNC systems to distribute NC programs to the respective CNC machines. COSCOM has introduced a browser-based alternative with Web-DNC. SPN Schwaben Präzision Fritz Hopf GmbH is already using the solution and shares its initial experience.

COSCOM: Decades of Experience with DNC Systems

Since its foundation in 1978, COSCOM has been actively involved in the digital evolution of machine tools and the growing demand for data transmission technologies, continuously developing solutions to meet these requirements. One company that has relied on the COSCOM DNC server service for more than 20 years is SPN Schwaben Präzision Fritz Hopf GmbH, a German manufacturer of drive solutions.

Web-DNC in SPN's Everyday Manufacturing Operations

At its site in Nördlingen, southern Germany, SPN employs around 180 people in production, manufacturing gear units, gear components, drive systems, as well as drive technology and mechatronics components. Meeting individual customer requirements is part of everyday business.

Around 15,000 NC programs are available for use on CNC machining centres from various manufacturers, including Chiron, DMG MORI, GROB and Hermle. The CNC controllers in use are supplied by FANUC and Siemens.

A total of 35 employees are responsible for data transmission and data backup. They are also regular users of the COSCOM Web-DNC system.

"The application can be managed centrally and accessed directly from each user's workstation via a web browser," explains Stimpfle. Its use is not tied to individual user licences. This reduces barriers to collaboration within the team.

Two key advantages over conventional DNC systems become apparent in everyday operations:

• Benefits for users: COSCOM Web-DNC features a clear, user-friendly interface focused on essential functions. Its operation is intuitive. Changes to NC programs can also be tracked easily, for example by comparing older and newer program versions. Only a brief introduction is required to get users started with the system.
• Benefits for IT departments and management: Conventional DNC solutions can involve greater installation and administration efforts. Depending on the setup, additional client PCs may need to be purchased, network infrastructure configured and computers regularly updated. Furthermore, the service life of these PCs is often shorter than that of the CNC machines themselves. With browser-based access, Web-DNC can reduce the need for additional workstation computers and the associated maintenance effort. This can also lower the overall costs of implementation and operation.

Secure Data Communication – Protection Against Cyberattacks

The more digitally connected the shop floor becomes, the more attractive industrial IT systems become as targets for cybercriminals. Potential threats include data theft, sabotage and the shutdown of CNC machines, as well as the manipulation of CNC machine tool parameters to produce defective parts.

Whether using COSCOM Web-DNC or conventional DNC communication via interfaces and protocols such as RS232, File Copy, TNCremo, Mazak and FANUC protocols, one important security measure provided by COSCOM to protect against cyberattacks is network segmentation.

This involves operating the Office and Shopfloor IT networks separately. Data communication between these independent networks is secured by a firewall. The connection is established via an interface whose ports are opened only at the user's request. COSCOM DNC can then communicate securely with the CNC machine subnets through this interface and transfer the required data.

One key advantage of this architecture is that machine controllers generally do not have the same level of security protection as modern PC operating systems. Therefore, machine networks are isolated within a separate network segment, keeping them away from direct exposure to potential attacks. Communication between the individual network segments takes place exclusively via a firewall.