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CNC Data Server Increases Productivity & Improves Reliability

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Memex Automation Inc. introduces a CNC DATA SERVER connectivity tool built upon its existing staple of connectivity tools that maximizes program usage at the machine.  Save time and increase reliability by loading large files locally (buffering up to 2 Gb) with a graphical interface for “drag and drop” of files between a PC and CNC.

Ax2200HS offers supplemental memory and is the first product to utilize this revolutionary method.  Part programs are managed on your factory floor, files are transferred seamlessly between CNC and PC.   Installation is easy on any control with our many options for Universal Network Interfaces.  Old machines can now perform at today’s standards.

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Memex OEE+DNC Increases Productivity and Lowers Costs for U.S. Aerospace Customers

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Memex announces that many new aerospace consumers in the USA and throughout North America have chosen our products to monitor and control their machines on the shop floor. They are utilizing Memex’s complete system to address their OEE and DNC requirements. This gives them the ability to monitor production status, run time, down time reasons, reject causes in real time and automatically report on OEE accurately. They have control of their part programs with Memex’s newly re-designed, state of the art DNC software, called AxDNC. Work orders on the floor are managed through Memex’s OEE+DNC and can be integrated to their ERP systems as well as their CAD/CAM part programs and HR reporting.

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Aerospace Customer Chooses Memex Complete OEE+DNC System

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Memex announces a new aerospace customer that has gone live in production to monitor and control the machines on the shop floor in its plants in North America. They are utilizing Memex’s complete system to address their OEE and DNC requirements. This gives them the ability to monitor production status, run time, down time reasons, reject causes in real time and automatically report on OEE accurately. In addition, they have control of their part programs with Memex’s completely re-designed, state of the art, new DNC software, called AxDNC. Work orders on the floor are managed through Memex’s OEE+DNC and are integrated to their Baan ERP system as well as their CAD/CAM part programs and HR reporting.

This project has taken over 1 year to deploy due to the number of plants and machines as well as the development of enhanced integrated OEE+DNC functionality. This customer uses Memex’s entire mainstay solution of hardware, firmware and software system, including configuration utilities, to monitor their plant and depends on Memex’s file transfer capabilities to reliably transfer all of their metal cutting programs to the shop floor. The benefits to the customer are significant in terms of efficiency of operations, with potential improvements at the shop floor of up to 20%. Connectivity of their machines to the enterprise network allows them to do many more operations as well as the machines now have on-board OEE+DNC with additional memory and functionality. Corporate level visibility of OEE and production ensures effective management of operations assisting in delivering quality products on time for their customers.

MEMEX - Machine Data Collector

Flexible Manufacturing with Robot and CNC

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Machine Monitoring & Control with OEE + DNC Enables Flexibility for Manufacturing Productivity

For the first time, integrated machine monitoring and adaptive control with OEE+DNC has been demonstrated using a robot to aid loading a CNC machine, offering automation for manufacturing flexibility and productivity that can increase profitability.

A showcase, hosted by the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association at the New Age Robotics site, demonstrated an ABB robot loading and unloading various materials integrated with a CNC machine to manufacture several discrete parts. The two machines were controlled by one Memex Ax9150 Universal Machine Interface (UMI) board. The Memex ProductionACE OEE+DNC (Overall Equipment Effectiveness + Digital Numerical Control) server software was connected to the UMI board, which in turn was connected to the robot and the CNC machine. OEE software monitored the machines in real-time and determined production status linked to the scheduled work orders. When the CNC machine was ready, the command was given to the robot to begin the load sequence for the material defined in the work order. The CNC machine was then given the specific DNC part program to be loaded, also referenced in the work order, and the command to begin machining. The mixed production material was loaded by the robot and the different parts were dynamically machined by the CNC. It was a masterful demonstration of flexible manufacturing, with all the benefits of an expensive FMS system done on a budget.

Manufacturing today demands both the adoption of new practices and new technology. “In order to improve productivity, including unmanned production shifts, machines on the shop floor need to be analyzed continuously and adapted to real-time conditions. If you can measure it, then you can manage it. This plug-and-play technology reduces the cost of integration.” said Memex President & CEO Dave McPhail. The Ax9150 UMI offers CNC machines real-time OEE machine monitoring and DNC control. As a co-processor installed next to the CNC control, the Ax9150 UMI provides local memory, onboard DNC and embedded OEE, and effectively “listens” to the heartbeat of the machines, reporting and logging what is happening inside. Because it has both data inputs and outputs, the Ax9150 UMI can pre-process machine instructions (G-Code) and then post-process real-time machining data in order to adapt to changing conditions at the machine. In short, Memex has succeeded in implementing adaptive control on existing CNC machines – a low cost upgrade that offers significant productivity improvements.

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2009 CTMA Showcase

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The Canadian Tooling and Machining Association – Western Ontario Chapter hosts a Memex customer installation Showcase and speech by the Memex CEO at their March 26, 2009 meeting.

TOUR: New Age Robotics & Controls Inc.

Host: Cornel Cosma
4:00 pm 515 Waydon Drive, Ayr, Ontario (see map) (519) 621-3333

Join us for a tour of New Age Robotics & Controls which has become highly competitive in the area of robotic automation. Main products include turnkey robotic cells for MIG, spot & projection welding and material handling; concepts & capital costs for customers seeking automation with robots and automated tool design. Services include customized system design and installation, refurbished equipment integration and ongoing support. Their 30,000 sq. ft. facility is fully equipped, using the latest technology to create and maintain flexible automation systems. Memex Automation will demonstrate manufacturing flexibility and efficiency using their controls that have been installed on CNC equipment and robots performing multiple tasks of loading different parts for machining with different part programs.

DINNER:

WHISTLE BEAR GOLF CLUB
6:00 pm 1316 Dickie Settlement Road, Cambridge (see map) Tel: (519) 650-2327

SPEAKER:

“MACHINE MONITORING FOR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT”
By: CEO of Memex Automation Inc.

Automate your automation using Ethernet connectivity to “InterNetwork” all your machines on the factory floor.

Using a Universal Machine Interface, computerized networking for machine monitoring and control can provide manufacturers with relevant OEE metrics and production information in real-time, boosting efficiency by up to 20 percent with minimal capital investment and thereby enabling lean manufacturing techniques.

A demonstration will precede this presentation with the plant tour at New Age Robotics Inc.