July 16, 2015 – By Mike Bacidore, Chief Editor
Earlier this year at ARC Forum, I met Rocky Rowland, machining manager at Mazak, a Japanese-based company with its North American headquarters is in Florence, Kentucky. “We manufacture 114 different models in our facility, and our manufacturing capacity is more than 200 units/month,” said Rowland. The Kentucky campus contained 536,000 sq ft of manufacturing space, with plans to expanding to 800,000 sq ft.
Mazak provides MTConnect solutions for standardizing device data on the manufacturing floor to its customers, said Rowland, who’s been with Mazak about 20 years. “We wanted to really know what was going on with our machines,” he explained. “Our goal was to improve our OEE using the MTConnect technology. We wanted to see what stopped the machines on the production floor. We evaluated six monitoring software packages and selected Memex Automation. We wanted something simple that could monitor all of the NC signals and a reporting feature that was easy to use for the supervisors and operators, too.”
What kind of data can be monitored out of the Mazak CNC? Programs, CNC status, axis loads, spindle rpm, temperature, overrides. What kind of ROI can be expected? “Anywhere between 3% and 15%, depending on how efficient your operation currently is,” explained Rowland. In September 2013, Mazak implemented a test cell with 12 machines.
“We have our own types of software,” said Rowland. “This software was exclusive to this type of machine because of the controller type. We looked at adapters, the interface and monitoring. Since then, it’s expanded into the powder paint and assembly sides in the factory.”
Mazak wanted to understand why its machines would sometimes sit idle. “With this software, you’re able to look at the machine output across a schedule time,” said Rowland. “We’re currently using Memex software. We can look at the reports very easily. We get gauges that show different aspects of the machine and calculates OEE. The biggest thing we were looking at was runtime vs. downtime. We had detailed downtime summaries in a daily report, along with the machine efficiency numbers.”
Idle-time reduction requires operator awareness. “It’s not one operator per machine these days,” explained Rowland. “Most operators have to move about between multiple machines. We added two floor monitors, which allowed operators to see their equipment and how their actions impacted production. It added spare tooling to allow quicker changeover of tooling from shift to shift.”
The data opened Mazak’s eyes. From November to December in the test cell, there was a 26% reduction in downtime hours. Utilization was up 6.1%.
Then, from November 2013 to December 2014, utilization was up 11.4%, which is an average monthly savings of $27,506. Downtime dropped from 604 hours in November 2013 to 182 hours in December 2014.
Benefits of the MTConnect implementation included live, accurate data in real time. “You can see where different pieces of equipment are,” explained Rowland. “The biggest benefit is providing a management tool. You get immediate feedback on changes. Any asset can be utilized. Several software suppliers support the MTConnect standard.”
Mazak is now monitoring more than 30 machines. “In our fabrication department, we’re expanding monitoring to other equipment, such as CNC lasers, CNC punch presses and powder paint lines.”
To see the full article, please click here.
Also read: MTConnect Connectivity Guide
Astrix Networks Inc. changes name to Memex Inc.
/in Press ReleasesBurlington, ON, Canada – July 21, 2015 – Astrix Networks Inc. (TSX-V: OEE), operating under the trade name Memex Automation, announces that it has officially changed its name to Memex Inc.
The name change will be effective for trading purposes on the TSXV commencing at the opening of trading on July 22, 2015. The common shares of the company will continue to trade under the operating symbol “OEE” following the name change. The existing share certificates issued under the former name of Astrix Networks Inc. will continue to represent common shares of the company under the new name, Memex Inc., and there is no need for shareholders to exchange their share certificates. However, if any shareholder wishes to exchange their share certificates for new share certificates issued under the new name Memex Inc., they can do so by contacting the company’s transfer agent Computershare Trust Company of Canada.
“Changing Astrix’s name to Memex was something that we had wanted to do for a while,” says David McPhail, President and CEO of Memex Inc. “Astrix has done business as Memex Automation for years and we are well known for that. We felt that the name ‘Memex Automation’ no longer fit quite right with the direction our business has been going in so we wanted a fresh start. Sticking with the Memex theme seemed only natural as most of our customers and prospects know and refer to us as Memex.”
“Brand awareness is very important. With over 12,000 electronic circuits boards installed in machines in various customer sites, all with the Memex name on it, we know the service people see this and they call Memex,” said John Rattray, VP Sales & Marketing. “Our products and names must be consistent.”
Memex Inc.’s flagship software product, MERLIN, is an industrial-strength shop floor communications platform that delivers Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics in real-time. MERLIN enables data-driven manufacturers to enhance productivity on any machine, typically 10% to 50%, and increase profit from operations.
About Memex Inc.
Memex Inc. is a leading Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology platform provider that connects to any machine and delivers real-time manufacturing productivity metrics. Industrial strength MERLIN software provides Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) efficiency metrics in real time, from shop floor to top floor. MERLIN connects to any machine, old or new, utilizing MTConnect, other protocols or hardware adapters. The MERLIN magic delivers a 10% to 50% average productivity increase so that any manufacturer can achieve world-class standards of excellence. Based on just a 10% increase in OEE, customers see profit improvements of 20%-plus and payback in less than four months. For more information, please visit: www.memex.ca.
Media Contacts
Leanne Rattray, Communications Specialist
Phone: 905-635-1540 ext. 103
Email: leanne.rattray@memex.ca
David McPhail, CEO
Phone: 519-993-1114
Email: david.mcphail@memex.ca
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To see the full press release, please click here.
Mazak improves OEE with MTConnect
/in ArticlesJuly 16, 2015 – By Mike Bacidore, Chief Editor
Earlier this year at ARC Forum, I met Rocky Rowland, machining manager at Mazak, a Japanese-based company with its North American headquarters is in Florence, Kentucky. “We manufacture 114 different models in our facility, and our manufacturing capacity is more than 200 units/month,” said Rowland. The Kentucky campus contained 536,000 sq ft of manufacturing space, with plans to expanding to 800,000 sq ft.
Mazak provides MTConnect solutions for standardizing device data on the manufacturing floor to its customers, said Rowland, who’s been with Mazak about 20 years. “We wanted to really know what was going on with our machines,” he explained. “Our goal was to improve our OEE using the MTConnect technology. We wanted to see what stopped the machines on the production floor. We evaluated six monitoring software packages and selected Memex Automation. We wanted something simple that could monitor all of the NC signals and a reporting feature that was easy to use for the supervisors and operators, too.”
What kind of data can be monitored out of the Mazak CNC? Programs, CNC status, axis loads, spindle rpm, temperature, overrides. What kind of ROI can be expected? “Anywhere between 3% and 15%, depending on how efficient your operation currently is,” explained Rowland. In September 2013, Mazak implemented a test cell with 12 machines.
“We have our own types of software,” said Rowland. “This software was exclusive to this type of machine because of the controller type. We looked at adapters, the interface and monitoring. Since then, it’s expanded into the powder paint and assembly sides in the factory.”
Mazak wanted to understand why its machines would sometimes sit idle. “With this software, you’re able to look at the machine output across a schedule time,” said Rowland. “We’re currently using Memex software. We can look at the reports very easily. We get gauges that show different aspects of the machine and calculates OEE. The biggest thing we were looking at was runtime vs. downtime. We had detailed downtime summaries in a daily report, along with the machine efficiency numbers.”
Idle-time reduction requires operator awareness. “It’s not one operator per machine these days,” explained Rowland. “Most operators have to move about between multiple machines. We added two floor monitors, which allowed operators to see their equipment and how their actions impacted production. It added spare tooling to allow quicker changeover of tooling from shift to shift.”
The data opened Mazak’s eyes. From November to December in the test cell, there was a 26% reduction in downtime hours. Utilization was up 6.1%.
Then, from November 2013 to December 2014, utilization was up 11.4%, which is an average monthly savings of $27,506. Downtime dropped from 604 hours in November 2013 to 182 hours in December 2014.
Benefits of the MTConnect implementation included live, accurate data in real time. “You can see where different pieces of equipment are,” explained Rowland. “The biggest benefit is providing a management tool. You get immediate feedback on changes. Any asset can be utilized. Several software suppliers support the MTConnect standard.”
Mazak is now monitoring more than 30 machines. “In our fabrication department, we’re expanding monitoring to other equipment, such as CNC lasers, CNC punch presses and powder paint lines.”
To see the full article, please click here.
Also read: MTConnect Connectivity Guide
Oilgear Has Provided a Follow on Order for the MERLIN Solution From Memex Automation
/in Press ReleasesBurlington, ON, Canada – Jul 6, 2015 – Astrix Networks Inc. (TSX VENTURE: OEE), operating under the trade name Memex Automation (“Memex”), is pleased to announce that Oilgear, a Milwaukee-based fluid technology provider with a focus on integrated hydraulic/electric systems, has expanded its MERLIN solution to eight of its machines. The expansion comes after a previous purchase order from Mazak, an OEM channel sales partner.
Memex Automation’s flagship software product, MERLIN, is an industrial-strength shop floor communications platform that delivers Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics in real-time. MERLIN enables data-driven manufacturers to enhance productivity on any machine, typically 10% to 50%, and increase profit from operations.
“We are making a significant capital investment in our pump manufacturing plant in Fremont, NE, and felt it is very important to monitor the assets to ensure clear visibility of the machine utilization,” says Jason Lake, VP of Americas, Oilgear. “We know having real time knowledge of our machines and utilizing the historical reporting analysis tools will allow us to further increase our efficiency in operations.”
“The precision machining for the fluid control sector requires accuracy, which is where the MERLIN solution excels, as it provides exact data from the machine,” said John Rattray, Memex Automation’s Vice President of Sales. “Advanced machine monitoring solutions utilize the MTConnect standard for data driven manufacturing, delivering efficiency metrics, operational productivity, and bottom-line profits.”
About Oilgear
The Oilgear Company is a supplier of highly engineered pumps, valves and controls. The company focuses on rapid product development to serve extreme applications in energy, mobile construction and broad industrial segments. Oilgear uses advanced hydraulic/electronic simulation tools, FMECA processes and state of the art R&D centers to fast track design qualification. Testing capability includes a 15,000 GPM flow rate test stand, 25,000 PSI pressure test stand, a high fluid contamination/fatigue validation test stand and real-time data logging on all of the above.
Investment in the Fremont manufacturing plant will allow Oilgear to upgrade its production manufacturing capability. Matched with its engineering, product development and R&D facilities at the Fremont plant brings The Oilgear Company to the forefront of supplier capability. For more information, please visit: www.oilgear.com
About Memex Automation
Memex is a leading Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology platform provider that connects to any machine and delivers real-time manufacturing productivity metrics. Industrial strength MERLIN software provides Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) efficiency metrics in real time, from shop floor to top floor. MERLIN connects to any machine, old or new, utilizing MTConnect, other protocols or hardware adapters. The MERLIN magic delivers a 10% to 50% average productivity increase so that any manufacturer can achieve world-class standards of excellence. Based on just a 10% increase in OEE, customers see profit improvements of 20%-plus and payback in less than four months. For more information, please visit: www.memex.ca.
Media Contacts
Leanne Rattray, Communications Specialist
Phone: 905-635-1540 ext. 103
Email: leanne.rattray@memex.ca
David McPhail, CEO
Phone: 519-993-1114
Email: david.mcphail@memex.ca
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To see the full press release, please click here.
AM3D Conference Expo
/in EventsASME’s Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing (AM3D) is where prominent minds and industry leaders come together to network, collaborate, innovate and re-imagine the future of manufacturing.
Co-located with the ASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (IDETC/CIE), attending AM3D can help you connect with influencers and decision-makers from the complete additive manufacturing supply chain.
Where: Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 021125
When: August 2 – 5, 2015
Memex Automation’s Dave Edstrom, Chief Technology Officer, will be speaking at AM3D, on Monday August 3rd, from 4:10 pm – 5:30 pm.
This session will explore the roles of standards for the AM industry. A panel representing the various standards development organizations will discuss the how standards can benefit AM adoption, create value, and improve competitiveness.
Memex Automation (TSX-V: OEE) acquires the intellectual property and other assets of Dostek Incorporated
/in Press ReleasesBurlington, ON, Canada – June 26, 2015 – Astrix Networks Inc. (TSX-V: OEE), operating under the trade name Memex Automation (“Memex”), is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire the intellectual property and other related assets of Dostek Incorporated (“Dostek”). In addition, Memex has engaged Dostek’s President, Doug Struthers, in the role of MERLIN DNC Architect.
Dostek produces a broad range of Computer Numeric Control (“CNC”) communication products, including Distributed Numerical Control (“DNC”) software and accessories and Behind-the-Tape Reader (“BTR”) interfaces. DNC is a method for loading parts programs onto manufacturing machines. With the acquisition of Dostek and its intellectual property, Memex intends to further enhance the DNC capabilities of its world leading MERLIN shop floor communications platform.
“Dostek has done well to establish itself as a leader in offering products for easy and reliable communications to CNC machines. Now with MERLIN and the Memex team, we can deliver the best shop floor communications platform,” says Doug Struthers.
“The 16 million unit global market for CNC machines using DNC is rapidly changing, and it represents a huge market opportunity for Memex,” stated David McPhail, President and CEO of Memex Automation. “The acquisition of Dostek is a significant step to not just increase our DNC product portfolio offering, but to create a world class and market leading DNC solution that manufacturers in every country are demanding.”
About Dostek Incorporated
Dostek is a software company that provides a full range of CNC communications products, such as DNC software, DNC accessories (ports, cables etc.) and Behind-the-Tape Reader (BTR) interfaces. For more information, please visit: www.dostek.com
About Memex Automation
Memex is a leading Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology platform provider that connects to any machine and delivers real-time manufacturing productivity metrics. Industrial strength MERLIN software provides Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) efficiency metrics in real time, from shop floor to top floor. MERLIN connects to any machine, old or new, utilizing MTConnect and other protocols. The MERLIN magic delivers a 10% to 50% average productivity increase so that any manufacturer can achieve world-class standards of excellence. Based on just a 10% increase in OEE, customers see profit improvements of 20%-plus and payback in less than four months. For more information, please visit: www.memex.ca.
Media Contacts
Leanne Rattray, Communications Specialist
Phone: 905-635-1540 ext. 103
Email: leanne.rattray@memex.ca
David McPhail, CEO
Phone: 519-993-1114
Email: david.mcphail@memex.ca
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To see the full press release, please click here.