You need real-time machine based data to complete your manufacturing data collection solution. ProductionACE can provide instantaneous machine, Job status and production information, thus planning and scheduling systems can be made more responsive and accurate with frequent updates of production status instead of end-of-job/shift "batch” data collection.

An Advanced ERP Interface is available which enables the user to maintain the system’s Job Queue and Product Databases from transactions created by an ERP/MRP system. An Activity File and a Real Time Status File are maintained to provide the ERP system with real time feedback on job starts, completions and status. Users report electronically updating inventory records improves inventory accuracy by as much as 20%.

The annual cost of carrying inventory can be significant: 20% of average inventory value is not unreasonable. Carrying excess inventory/safety stocks therefore translates into substantial and needless costs. Conversely, carrying too little inventory means lost sales and/or dissatisfied customers. By obtaining accurate, real-time data on production, both in-process and finished goods, even from remote operations/satellite plants, you can reduce these costs, plus you can track scrap and measure “shrinkage” in the process.

For MES systems, which provide dynamic scheduling capabilities, "real" real-time data (instead of end-of–shift or Job “batch” data) is an absolute necessity. Until the advent of Machine Data Transducer systems, this type of information has been difficult to obtain because of the inability to “network” the various types of controls found in the typical manufacturing plant. With ProductionACE the production requirements are transferred to the Job Queue automatically using standard techniques. Not only does this save re-keying information, but now the production department can see estimated completion time/date of all jobs based on current shop operating conditions instead of typical “guesstimates”. The Job Queue identifies late Jobs so the Scheduler can run “what if” scenarios and view impact on production schedule as requirements change and as machines and operator status changes. Then, as often as required, the MDT System can automatically upload production data to the MES.

The challenge facing maintenance systems is determining exactly when tasks should be performed. ProductionACE provides the answer: it automatically collects accurate, actual counts of machine cycle count and runtime. Given this information, users eliminate ineffective, time-wasting calendar scheduling. ProductionACE tracks Machine/Master Tools and up to 99 Sub Tools/machine components.

ProductionACE can export actual runtime and cycle counts to any third-party CMMS software. During the production shift, cycle count and runtime “meters” are updated in a real-time file. At the end of the shift, data is written to a history file. Data export is via flat ASCII files, the most universal of file formats.

MDT-150 (only) can be equipped with serial output to accommodate practically any bar code label printer. Labels can contain your choice of information, such as Product Description, Work Order #, Operator Name, Date/Time, Lot Number, etc., both in bar code and alphanumeric data format.

The scanner can be used to initiate a job change, log in an operator, or enter rejects.