E-factory Designed to help optimize and control manufacturing cells, along with plantwide operations, Engel's e-factory manufacturing execution system (MES) integrates data as part of an Industry 4.0 approach. It can be connected directly to enterprise resource-planning (ERP) systems, and injection molding machines of different brands can be linked. Modules include the Reports, Data, Planner, Monitor and Chart programs.
What's new? Three new modules: Quality, Maintenance and Analyzer. The modules have been available over the last few months.
Benefits Availabilty of even more functions, allowing for greater plantwide integration. For example, the Quality module can prompt machine operators to regularly remove and test parts, based on individual plants' goals and policies. In a similar fashion, the Maintenance module stores tune-up schedules, so that operators can perform maintenance in a way that minimizes downtime. A business-intelligence tool, the Analyzer module makes it possible to quickly and easily view operating figures, such as equipment effectiveness, using graphics. It is available in web and desktop versions, making it an efficient tool for operations managers and higher-level personnel.
Engel Machinery Inc., York, Pa., 717-764-6818, www.engelglobal.com
