Automation Manufacturing Software
Releases

AMS CI-Suite v1.27 Fall Release 2023: Key Features and Improvements

The latest release of the AMS CI-Suite v1.27 brings numerous enhancements and new features to improve production efficiency, data analysis, and user experience. Here are the highlights from this comprehensive update:

Release Compatibility 1.27

General System Improvements

  • Performance Optimizations: Significant reduction in startup time and lower CPU utilization, especially for systems with many PLC structures and variables
  • Offline Documentation: All products now include an offline HTML version of documentation accessible without internet connection
  • Compatibility Notice: No longer supports Windows Server 2012 R2 and CI-Suite v1.18

Workpiece Carrier (WPC) Management

  • Improved handling of Workpiece Carriers with:
    • Automatic unlinking of components from WPC when unloading
    • Simplified PLC code for transfer modules by inheriting NextProcess values
    • WPC data lock information in GetWorkInfo payload
    • Visualization of manual WPC data changes in MACO-DataViewer
    • Ability to insert parts from other machines within the same AMS ZPoint-CI server instance

STIWA Shopfloor Control (2023 known as 'AMS ZPoint-CI Operations')

  • Type Release States: View and modify release states of types, with special releases clearly marked in the production dashboard
    • (picture 1 below)
  • Order Management: New "module without parts" feature to stop an order and deactivate modules where parts are unavailable
  • Enhanced Logbooks: View historical logbook entries with various filter/search options
    • (picture 2 below)
  • Type Comparison: Compare two types to see differences in parameter configuration
    • (picture 3 below)
  • WDS Panel and Actions: Complete port of WDS functionality from AMS ZPoint-CI Client
    • (picture 4 below)
  • Rework Place: STIWA standard rework place available by default if a rework manager is configured
    • (picture 5 below)
  • Parallel Orders: Set mix portion at order start with optimized view for multiple parallel active orders
    • (picture 6 below)
  •  Dashboard Editor: Editable with full WYSIWYG Editor; see the changes directly
    • (picture 7 below)
Type Release States
Type Release States (picture1)
Enhance Logbooks
Enhance Logbooks (picture 2)
Type Comparison
Type Comparison (picture 3)
WPC Panels and Actions
WPC Panels and Actions (picture 4)
Rework Place
Rework Place (picture 5)
Panel Orders
Panel Orders (picture 6)
Dashboard Editor
Dashboard Editor (picture 7)
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Mobile Solutions

  • Smartphone-Optimized Shopfloor Monitor: Easy access to live machine data, optimized for smartphones

 

Shopfloor Monitor Interface: Plant view
Shopfloor Monitor Interface: machine view
Shopfloor Monitor Interface: shift view
  • Smartwatch Support: Added support for Samsung Galaxy Watch5 for notification
Smartwatch: interface
Smartwatch: menu
  • Andon Board: New Default Panels
Andon Board

Analysis-CI Improvements

  • Dashboard Editor Enhancements:
    • Option to hide/show x-axis title to save space
    • Collapsible filters for dashboards with long filter lists
    • Saved filter sets as favorites for quick access
    • Improved template switching with report selection
    • Retention of links and navigation targets when replacing reports
Dashboard Editor Enhancements
  • Trendviewer Enhancements:
    • Display of target values in addition to upper and lower limits
    • "Indexed" x-axis option alongside "Serialnumbers" and "Timestamps"
    • New "Last Measurement [Yes/No]" filter
    • "Shift start/end" and "Order start/end" time filter options
  • Curve Visualization: Ability to select specific curves for set and actual value display
  • Free Analysis: Added Shiftbook (machine logbook) functionality for the Log cube
  • Upstream and Downstream Tracing: Enhanced capabilities for tracking components through the entire production process, allowing users to trace both upstream (where components came from) and downstream (where they went) in the manufacturing chain

Data Collection & Control Center

  • Type Data Management: Automatically discard parameter changes and set special release status to "QA Series" when special release expires
  • Standstill Assignment: Configurable template for notes when assigning standstills
  • User Authentication: Support for USB keycard reader connected directly to PC or terminal
  • Rework Panel Improvements: Step-by-step loading of product data and automatic target module selection

CI 3.1 API Improvements

  • Simplified PLC Programming: Multiple usability improvements including:
    • Automatic redirect of locked parts
    • Rework plans for individual components
    • Support for special parts without type specification
    • Automatic triggering of StartWork after InitNewPart
    • Support for Siemens CP1542-SP1
    • Improved repeatability of commands for reference run scenarios
    • Simplified scrapping and packing of components

New DataBus-CI (Preview) 

  • New data infrastructure component designed to replace DRSCS-CI and QDA-CI Upload in the long term
  • Transports fine-grained production data from machines to a central location
  • Provides interfaces for consuming production data in streaming and batch modes