IMTS2012 Team
IMTS2012 Pan
The International Manufacturing Technology Show is the largest manufacturing trade show in the North America, with more than 2,000 exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors. The event is held every two years in September at McCormick Place, Chicago. Memex saw a wave of business at the show and directly afterwards, all looking for machine monitoring and OEE tools.
Manufacturing journalist, TR Cutler, recently profiled the OEE Calculator by Memex Automation for Industrial Electronics Today.
The leading OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) Calculator, quantifies the increase in Income From Operations (IFO or EBITDA) for Same Sales Volume and Sell Everything scenarios for various improvement criteria. The OEE ROI calculator is a very preliminary ‘rough cut’ analysis tool for developing a business case (to engage real-time manufacturing performance data for shop floor machines in manufacturing plants). Part of the reason Calculator is ‘rough’ is because a Plant average is used for several important parameters such as OEE, shift output, and quality rate.
Much greater precision can be developed by using actual OEE data differentiated by product run and by work station. Future monitoring and proactive use of the information provided by an installed system significantly improves accuracy of alternatives; these data assists leadership teams in setting direction and focus to maximize results quickly. Rattray noted that, “First Look results are generated using Small, Medium and Large preselected productivity improvements to show the range of possible results.”
The current input values in the OEE Calculator, use hypothetical but realistic values for a machine tool plant. It is estimated that for most manufacturing plants, the Calculator results have a confidence level of eighty-five percent (85%), plus or minus three percent (3%.)
The OEE Calculator does not apply the Theory of Constraints (TOC) therefore, if the proper application of tools and OEE improvement is not achieved at the constraint, then the increase to IFO is also limited. The quality factor usually has more impact than Availability or Speed Factor for bottom line improvement. When waste or scrap is improved, OEE improves; the result, less material needed. It is important to apply Lean Six Sigma techniques to your manufacturing operations, so as to achieve significant results. Memex offers services in this area, as documented in our website.
Memex suggests that users of the OEE Calculator, “Closely account for the change in material since it determines the new amount of total units made and applies the base case unit material cost to the total number of new units required to make the good units for the associated scenario.” The Calculator zeroes all of the improvement parameters and individually examines what one (1) OEE point improvement is worth for Availability, Speed Rate, and Quality. This data provides the user an approximation of financial impact on IFO for types of improvement activities.
Originally published online by SBW!RE. Link to full article here.
According to John Rattray of Memex Automation, “By monitoring assets such as tooling, raw materials, Work In Progress, computers, vehicles and any moveable assets, companies can know quickly, exactly, and securely where assets are located. Direct Numerical Control Software (DNC) improves machines operational performance and increases shop floor productivity.”
DNC Software for Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP and others is a 32-bit multi-threaded communications & file management system allowing simultaneous upload and download to multiple CNC controls. It includes a CNC Editor, Backplotter and many other utilities and features. DNC Software is easily connected to CAD/CAM systems over industry standard networks and is available in a Client-Server configuration. Besides machine tool DNC communications, other shop floor data can be collected from shop terminals, tool pre-setters, bar code equipment or SPC systems.
Memex Automation introduces CNC connectivity with Machine Monitoring & Control OEE+DNC which will deliver productivity enhancements and can reduce operating costs and increase profit.
Ax9150 UMI is the first product to utilize this revolutionary way part programs are managed on your factory floor.
Easy installation on any control with configuration utility and our proven, patent-pending, Dynamic Computer Aided Machining (DCAM) is incorporated in the Ax9150 UMI.
Software for OEE+DNC can be in the package.
Old machines can now perform at today’s standards with features like: Local CNC Memory; SD + Flash Memory; support for all makes + models of machines; powered by machine (12-24V), magnetic mount; 8 – 24 Inputs + 4 Digital Outputs.
Integrated OEE+DNC for Virtual Manufacturing, Connects to any ERP business system, with extensive reporting, including web based viewing and alerts to your email, PDA or Phone.
Onboard DNC & extensive firmware, Embedded OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Ethernet connectivity, OPC capable connections all for Machine Monitoring & Adaptive Control.
If you can Measure it — then you can Manage it
The next evolution in manufacturing connectivity was unveiled by Memex Automation Inc. and MatrikonOPC™, the world’s largest OPC connectivity provider, at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) held this week in Chicago. Utilizing MatrikonOPC’s standards-based connectivity, Memex is now able to connect virtually all CNC machine tools leveraging our Dynamic Computer Aided Machining (DCAM) model. Our goal is to provide a universal machine interface that makes every machine a node on the corporate network.
Production Managers can now monitor the status of every machine in their plant, giving real time visibility of production. The benefits of machine monitoring and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) numbers lead directly to increased productivity. Our customers have seen up to 20% increase in shop floor efficiency, delivering more value than the cost of a new machine. Large multi-national manufacturers and leading aerospace companies have started adopting this technology. It’s like a low cost retrofit – we now can start Automating the Automation.