OMRON Automation has announced a machine automation controller (PLC) equipped with a machine learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm. The first of its kind in the industry, the AI-equipped controller achieves real-time integration with the factory floor. The new controllers integrate knowhow of skilled workers into the controls of equipment. This enable it to […]
In a recent project to improve productivity at Omron’s Kusatsu plant, engineers wanted to support anecdotal reports from plant-floor operators with real-time information. Their goal was to identify and assess continuous improvement projects with real-time data. To realise this, the factory traced products through the manufacturing processes to analyse where improvements can be made. […]
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) identifies how effectively a manufacturing operation is utilised, but Omron argues that it is not routinely discussed with an organisations machinery suppliers, with the focus instead tending to be on areas such as baseline speed, cycle times and overall performance. By consider their customers’ OEE during machine design, machine builders […]
In addition to providing variable the speed of motors, inverter drives can also be used to stop them quickly by applying a braking torque to the motor. The energy released during this process is normally absorbed by a braking circuit and dissipated through braking resistors in the form of heat However, regenerative variable […]
Integrated safety increases bread making productivity by 20% By improving operator access to safety and diagnostics information, Omron has helped Spanish bakery machine manufacturer Auxpama achieve a 20% improvement in productivity by avoiding unnecessary stops, whilst improving machine safety over EtherCAT. A couple of years ago, when the Sysmac platform was introduced, […]