Burlington, Ontario -- (SBWire) -- 07/23/2010 -- Memex Automation Inc., http://www.memex.ca, a unit of Astrix Networks Inc., was created to leverage the research and development of Memex Electronics, which was founded in 1992. Memex continues its tradition of serving the discrete manufacturing sector, supplying component hardware, memory upgrades, and visionary shop floor communication technology. Memex products allow a manufacturer to “Automate the Automation” to increase productivity and decrease costs. Memex Automation focuses on delivering value with Real-Time Machine Monitoring and Control, which utilizes OEE+DNC solutions that boost efficiency by up to twenty percent with minimal capital investment. Memex is based in Burlington, Ontario.
According to John Rattray, a senior executive with Memex Automation recently discussed Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) in a feature article by manufacturing journalist TR Cutler, titled “Shop Floor to Top Floor Automation In Real-Time.” The article appeared in AS411.com a leading online software solution media resource.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics of ANY and ALL machines with a direct hardware connection typically increase efficiency by 5 to 20 percent. Immediate visibility of production status and comprehensive data collection creates a competitive advantage. Memex Automation details that automating the information flow companies can manage productivity.
- Send ERP or scheduled work orders and/or CNC programs direct to the machine.
- Receive actual real-time status and Shop Floor results immediately back to the Top Floor.
- Increase efficiency with information - If a company can measure it – then it can be managed.
- Dashboard for the Top Floor to have real-time visibility of the Shop Floor.
Automated data collection is a manufacturing productivity tool enabling increased productivity:
- Cost Effective
- Practical & Proven
- All machines - CNC, non-CNC, PLC, Presses, Injection molding, etc.
Memex Automation’s Universal Machine Interface automatically tracks this information - freeing up the operator to manage the machine. This information is then automatically disseminated from the Shop Floor to the Top Floor for visibility, management, accountability, historical auditing and available for time study analysis.
Applications are available that provide real-time machine monitoring, acquisition of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics, dynamic computer-aided machining, automatic synchronization of part programs, DNC, work order scheduling, and central control of machine operations.”
Memex Automation identified ten direct ways to improve manufacturing productivity
1. Analyze causes for downtime and rejects: Record and analyze machine downtime and reject events to minimize interruptions and poor productivity.
2. Monitor machines in real time: Detect problems before productivity and quality suffers: see real-time displays of efficiency, utilization, OEE, yield, rate, cycle time.
3. Automate production reporting: Implement automated production data collection and reporting from ALL types of production machines. Print standard and custom reports automatically and export data to Excel, 1-2-3 or Enterprise systems.
4. Automate production scheduling, job tracking: Reduce time-consuming manual production scheduling and job tracking chores to just a few clicks of a mouse.
5. Schedule P.M. based on actual machine/tool use: Do not wait for machinery to break or produce scrap before performing maintenance. Instead, be proactive: schedule Preventive Maintenance based on actual machine/tool/component usage: run hours and cycle count.
6. Analyze manufacturing process variable performance: Monitor temperature, pressure, cushion, shot size, stroke, shut height, tonnage, inject/fill/hold time, etc. Chart as X bar and R or export it to SQC/SPC applications.
7. Implement OEE/ISO/Continuous Improvement programs: Develop real-world production standards to make job costing accurate. Implement activity based costing, Continuous Improvement and OEE programs.
8. Manufacturing data collection for ERP, MES, CMMS systems: Close the loop with Enterprise systems: Automatically download production schedules into System's Job Queue, then upload production/performance/productivity and usage data at Shift and Job end.
9. Export cycle counts and run time to CMMS systems. Eliminate manual "meter" reading and data collection: ProductionACE can export actual runtime and cycle counts to any third-party CMMS/EAM software during the production shift: cycle counts and runtime "meters" are updated in a real-time file.
10. Read and Print Bar Code labels at each machine as parts are made: Printed labels can contain choice of information such as Product Description, Work Order #, Operator Name, Date/Time, and Lot Number.
Memex, Inc.
http://www.memex.ca
John Rattray
jrattray@astrix.com
1-866-573-3895
Manufacturing Journalist TR Cutler Looks at Overall Equipment Effectiveness by Memex Automation