Newsletter| Vol. 9 No. 2 August 2004

Aiming for a thirty percent increase in productivity. MAPPS II – a new high-performance operating system is born.
	The times demand that machine operating systems adapt to changes on the production floor. Operating systems for the new age are capable of meeting a variety of challenges, including: improving setup for small-volume, variable-lot production, longer and more complex machining programs and networking the production floor.

Ever since Mori Seiki produced our first NC-equipped lathe in 1968, we have continued striving to create more advanced control technologies. Just over thirty years later, in 1999, we developed our original MAPPS integrated operating panel. The intuitive keyboard layout and conversational programming system proved very popular and there are now over 15,000 in use in the field. In 2004, the third generation of our high-performance operating system is here: MAPPS II. Our goal was 30 % greater productivity. To achieve this goal with the latest control technologies, we have reduced programming and setup time, raised reliability and operability and improved maintenance networking characteristics. Control Technology Laboratory undertook development in close cooperation with machining technicians at the Iga and Chiba Campuses. We considered all the comments and suggestions we received from customers in order to implement a comprehensive upgrade of the original MAPPS system. Our enhanced system was tested thoroughly as we repeated bench mark tests for everything from the application system to the keyboard and machine panels until we were completely satisfied. The biggest difference between the original and MAPPS II is the incorporation of SEICOS functionality, which we inherited from Hitachi Seiki. General operability has been increased thanks to the innovative fusion of MAPPS and SEICOS. The result is an operating panel that is very easy to use. Below are some of the features of MAPPS II:

A 15-inch machining center operating panel.

1. Improved hardware specs MAPPS II is more efficient than the previous version; its CPU performance is three times faster and its main memory is eight times larger, giving it much greater processing power. Screens now switch twice as fast and the time it takes to process G codes in the conversational format has been reduced by thirty-three percent. 50 MB of user memory area comes standard (with 500 MB as an option), replacing the data server function. Not only can this area be used to store programs, it also allows faster execution of high-speed DNC operation that is ideal for die and mold machining. 2. Greater reliability We used a customized version of Windows® XP Embedded for the operating system. The system no longer needs to be shut down and is protected against sudden blackouts and problems involved in daily shutdowns. A compact flash disk system now replaces the previous hard disk system, which was susceptible to temperature and vibration, raising overall system reliability.

3. Improved operability A pointing device and a 3-D cutting simulation screen. The display comes in either 10.4-inch or 15-inch sizes, the latter being the biggest in its class. Horizontal machining centers and multi-axis machines come standard with the 15-inch display. A new pointing device has been added which allows the operator to rotate and move objects during 3-D cutting simulations, ensuring checks are even more thorough and accurate.

4. Faster creation of programs True CAM-type tool paths can now be created in the programming process. Machining center functionality has been enhanced, with better inlets, as well as islands and open pockets, which are also CNC lathe functions. A conversational milling menu, identical to that of machining centers, has been included as a standard feature in response to demand for multi-axis functionality in CNC lathes. With the high-speed fixed cycle function, which was very popular in the SEICOS system, available as an option, complex high-speed cutting instructions can be done in a single line of code. In response to customer demand, we have also developed a 3-D cutting simulation and made it a standard feature of MAPPS II.	Island shape screen.
5. Faster setup The W-setter and safety guard, which are SEICOS setup-reducing functions, are available as options. Tools can be moved manually and setup can be completed with a push of a button, making it possible for even beginners to complete setup correctly and quickly. In order to ensure compatibility with the NL Series CNC lathes that are equipped with digital tailstocks, the approach and retreat positions, the re-chucking and other settings can be made simply and easily on the screen.	A Tool setter that allows immediate tool length and tool diameter offset.
6. Improved maintenance Maintenance functions have been added, including regular maintenance and limit switch guidance, in order to reduce machine down time. Mori Seiki has also added Network functionality to enable compatibility with our CAPS-NET Global Edition Internet machine monitoring service. Service for the Mori Seiki CAPS-NET Global Edition Internet machine monitoring service, which provides remote support and sends out operating data summaries to customers from the Mori Seiki Service Center, will first be available within Japan. In the aforementioned unprecedented ways, MAPPS II has succeeded in integrating all types of advanced functionality into a single operating panel. Screens are available in thirteen languages in the global model, just like the original MAPPS system, so that worldwide operators can use the system. NV5000 α1 and NH5000 machines equipped with MAPPS II began shipping out in April 2004. In the desire to immediately begin contributing to our customers' profitability, we plan on equipping all future Mori Seiki machines with MAPPS II. The product names indicated in this catalog are all trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies. MAPPS: Mori Advanced Programming Production System	Greater maintenance functions for less machine down time.

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