Four ways to boost competitiveness with intuitive machine automation

Getting new machines to market faster can provide any machine builder with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The solution lies in successfully executing the control strategy.

Schneider Electric answers the challenge with the next generation of MachineStruxure solutions. MachineStruxure helps design integrated, energy-efficient and cost effective machines.

Based on tested, validated and documented architectures, MachineStruxure incorporates flexible and scalable hardware platforms with SoMachine™, a comprehensive single software suite with application function block libraries. These allow machine builders to achieve shorter lead-times and improved reliability at a reduced cost by:

Reducing time to market

Intuitive tools for programming and simulation accelerate engineering processes. A simple-to-use interface that adapts to users’ personal preferences and well-designed ready-to-use architectures and templates enable machine builders to focus on work and not on the tools.

Increasing profitability

Essential pre-integrated interfaces and embedded functionality such as Ethernet connectivity, multiple communication ports, SD card slots, energy management dashboards, safety, analogue inputs/outputs, and motion control loops, help to deliver greater profitability. Easy-to-use control platforms and the ability to reuse existing code can help save valuable development time.

Improving efficiency

Flexible and scalable MachineStruxure solutions have performance ratings that are the benchmark of the industry. So whether you need logic, drive, HMI, or motion-based control, MachineStruxure can be perfectly optimised to deliver greater reliability and throughput.

Simplify integration and maintenance

Ethernet TCP/IP and IP are now included on all MachineStruxure control platforms, standardising vertical access to production data and machine status even for basic platforms typically low on features. Wireless access via mobile devices and web protocols like HTTP or FTP provide remote access to machines from everywhere, and at any time, for prompt diagnostics and technical support.

MachineStruxure optimises the machine life cycle, from design and development, to commissioning and maintenance including:

– Flexible, scalable control solutions.

– Single, unified application software.

– Ready-to-use, tested, and validated architectures.

– Standard motion and safety solutions.

– Expert application development and technical services available throughout the entire machine life cycle.

Aluma Tower Company of the USA needed to integrate a new solution that would allow remote monitoring and put control in the hands of their end users. Using MachineStruxure Schneider Electric were able to help Aluma Tower take their systems to a new level.

Watch a MachineStruxure solution case study: AlumaTower

For more Schneider control and HMI products go here