What is Shop Floor Connect?
Shop Floor Connect (SFC) is an add-on for Teamcenter that helps bridge the gap between your PLM system and the shop floor. It delivers CNC programs, tool data, setup instructions, 3D models, drawings, and work instructions directly to machines and other production assets. Operators use a simple web interface to access only released data, and every transfer is logged to support compliance.
At a high level, SFC operates on top of Teamcenter as the distribution engine, connecting to CNC machines, robots, additive equipment, and presetters through Ethernet or serial links.
In this blog, we will explore five key benefits of SFC and how it helps manufacturers strengthen the connection between engineering and production.
- Seamless integration with Teamcenter
Effortless integration with Siemens Teamcenter ensures a unified digital thread across the enterprise, creating a single source of truth for product data, workflow processes, and collaboration. This connection eliminates silos and supports a more connected and efficient operation. - Full traceability for compliance
SFC can be configured to log when a program is transferred from Teamcenter to the machine, and when a program is edited on the shop floor and uploaded back into Teamcenter. This fully traceable, bi-directional logging removes guesswork and delivers the transparency necessary for compliance. - A modern, browser-based interface
The browser-based UI is intuitive and accessible across multiple devices, making it ideal for today’s digital manufacturing environments. Its ease of use accelerates adoption and supports consistent performance across teams. - Centralized access to resources
SFC helps users stay informed about the tools, resources, and support available to them. Whether it’s software, documentation, or training materials, everything is easily accessible at the user’s fingertips. - Flexible connectivity across machines
SFC has been successfully configured to work with a wide range of machine types using both Ethernet and Serial connections. This flexibility allows customers to continue leveraging their existing equipment investments while connecting to a modern digital ecosystem.
Summary
Shop Floor Connect enhances quality and compliance by replacing uncontrolled file transfers with a secure process and enabling feedback from the shop floor directly into PLM. With proper implementation, it can serve as the foundation for paperless NC execution and fully auditable manufacturing workflows.
Learn more about Shop Floor Connect here.