“Six Degrees” Solutions Improve Machine Dependability, Flexibility and Efficiency
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – June 24, 2004 – GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc., a unit of GE Infrastructure, has introduced the new “Six Degrees of Differentiation” automation solutions for Packaging Machinery Manufacturers – which feature high-performance controllers, scaleable operator interfaces, plant information software and motion control to dramatically increase packaging machine cycle rates and improve overall equipment efficiency. These combined automation solutions help packaging machinery manufacturers develop highly efficient equipment that is capable of fast changeover between differently sized batches or product runs without breaking stride.
“GE Fanuc offers packaging machinery manufacturers ‘Six Degrees of Differentiation’ through the latest automation innovations and the worldwide GE support network,” explained Maria Piazza, director of packaging solutions, for GE Fanuc Automation.
“With improved automation systems, delivering key packaging machine trend functionally packagers can in turn deliver increased dependability, flexibility, operational validation, efficiency, compatibility and support for higher performance and productivity to their end users – driving a competitive advantage.”Based on Six Sigma research into the needs of packagers, the GE Fanuc Six Degrees of Differentiation for Packaging Machinery Manufacturers provide the following Critical to Quality (CTQ) features:· Dependability – yielding a constant flow of product with minimal stoppage thanks to easy-to-understand and convenient diagnostics that can help operators identify, resolve, and troubleshoot problems early on.
For the highest dependability, GE Fanuc provides remote monitoring and diagnostic tools. Online monitoring makes it possible to perform preventive maintenance without system shutdown and to troubleshoot issues remotely, eliminating costly trips to users’ sites. The built-in diagnostics in GE Fanuc’s software and I/O facilitate troubleshooting, decrease downtime, and reduce total maintenance costs.· Flexibility – allowing changeover of software programs, machine parameters, speeds, and other elements quickly and, when appropriate, electronically. With quicker component changeover for flexibility, GE Fanuc helps to reduce the time it takes to make changeovers, by eliminating manual adjustments; therefore ensuring users gain the most from their investment.
They can have the added capacity to program numerous recipes, even faster, thanks to library functionality and symbolic programming. They can also load programs on the fly and swap I/O without system shutdown. Using GE Fanuc’s integrated development software and common database, users can make changes across a variety of machines quickly and easily. With these and other features, changeover time between production runs can be reduced from several hours to just minutes.· Operational Validation – with built-in checks and measures for factory acceptance testing (FAT), scalable redundancy, electronic signatures for regulated industries, and access control for security.
GE Fanuc supports high-speed data collection and tracking for easy operational validation and measuring Overall Equipment Efficiency of the machine as well as expansive controller memory for data or documentation storage. Access control, version control, and audit history with a built-in system manager make tracking easy to implement. Controls have redundancy options to ensure equipment is running as designed, as well as allocated CPU memory to store validation documentation from factory acceptance testing. For regulatory industries, a fully 21 CFR 11 compliant system with electronic signature is available.· Efficiency – capable of producing high throughput and meeting diverse inventory needs as well as improved productivity of the machines operation and engineering development effort.
With high-yield capabilities for efficiency, GE Fanuc’s full range of high-performance controllers with integrated or stand-alone motion control allows precise and accurate torque, speed and velocity control creating the optimal high machine speed with high yield. The single programming environment for logic, motion, and operator interface also increases the productivity on the engineering effort. Depending on the complexity of the system, production rates can be improved by as much as 100 percent.· Compatibility – with the flexibility to fit multiple application lines and with the ability to communicate seamlessly with other machines.
With an open architecture for exceptional compatibility, GE Fanuc’s communication and language options simplify integration with coexisting systems and policies, reducing total commissioning cost dramatically.· Support – global support with live and online help 24/7, system development and application conversion, free product evaluation, and training through total ownership to keep end users up and running for the highest productivity possible.Available now, the GE Fanuc Six Degrees of Differentiation automation solutions for Packaging Machinery Manufacturers are ideal for wrapping machines; case/tray handling machines; pallet forming, dismantling, and securing equipment; closing machines; labeling, decorating, and marking machines; cleaning, sterilizing, cooling, and drying machines; container and component handling machines; form, fill, and seal machines; cartoning machines; container/material manufacture; inspection/testing; and converting equipment.
About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation, a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Infrastructure and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments.
For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com or contact: GE Fanuc Information Center, P.O.
Box 8106, Charlottesville, VA 22906, Phone: (800) GE FANUC, Fax: 434-978-5205, e-mail: [email protected] .
