Memex Automation’s MERLIN to be showcased by Mazak as “value-added” solution at FABTECH

Finanzen, Germany – November 11, 2014

Memex Automation (CVE:OEE) says it has been invited by Mazak Optonics to jointly demonstrate its MERLIN manufacturing productivity product on Mazak’s laser cutting systems at FABTECH this year in Atlanta, Georgia. Mazak Optonics is the laser cutting systems division of Yamazaki Mazak Corp, and the third unit to demonstrate MERLIN as a “value-added MTConnect-based solution”, said Memex.

Memex’s MERLIN is a hardware and software tool that tracks a large number of data inputs that measure OEE [overall equipment effectiveness] in real-time, machine by machine, as well as other operational machine information. It enables customers to address production bottlenecks as they happen, converting idle time back into production and ultimately improving throughput and increasing income from plant operations.

MTConnect is the open, royalty-free standard that is used with Memex’s new CNC hardware adapters, bringing OEE network connectivity from the shop floor to management, no matter the make, model or vintage of machine.

“The implementation of MTConnect is one of the simplest and fastest ways to improve productivity and increase machine utilization,” said Mazak president Brian Papke.  “Mazak’s MTConnect implementation provided the highest ROI for any capital investment because of the significant increase in utilization of equipment for a very moderate expenditure.”

Papke personally drove the project to implement the MTConnect protocol to determine machine availability with maximum accuracy at his company’s Kentucky-based North American headquarters – an 800,000 sq.ft. complex that produces a variety of multi-axis turning and milling machines at a rate of 200 units per month. The company achieved a 42 percent increase in equipment utilization in its Kentucky plant as a result.

“The combination of MTConnect and MERLIN will deliver performance details including dashboards that open up tremendous real-time visibility for both individual machines and the entire shop floor,” added Mazak’s GM of sales support, Marc Lobit.

The FABTECH demonstration will take place at booth 3525 from November 11-13, the companies said, and will showcase MERLIN’s ability to connect all manufacturing machines to management, as well as report plant-wide capacity utilization and increase production and income from operations in real time.

FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, and is expected to draw some 27,000 attendees this year. MERLIN was also showcased by Mazak at IMTS in September and at Germany’s EMO Hannover metalworking technology tradeshow last year.

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