Monitoring System provides real-time data collection.
Press Release Summary:
Automated FIN® (Factory Intelligence Network) is comprised of Windows-based computer, peripherals, FIN software, and inkjet printer. System continuously gathers information from 200 to 2000 data points within plant. Monitored data includes temperature, pressure, weights, motor load, speed, ingredient ratios, and faults. FIN communicates with PLCs and alerts operators to deviations, out-of-spec, or fault conditions.
Original Press Release:
ACI Introduces Easy-to-Use, Automated System for Continuously Monitoring and Collecting Manufacturing Data
-FIN® (Factory Intelligence Network) Offers Manufacturers Real-Time Monitoring, and Reduced Downtime and Quality Issues-
West Berlin, NJ (September 19, 2002) - Automation & Control, Inc. (ACI) today announced that it has introduced FIN®, the Factory Intelligence Network, a real-time monitoring and data collection system for manufacturing facilities that helps factories reduce equipment downtime, production delays and production quality issues.
The FIN system - comprised of a Windows-based computer, peripherals, the FIN software and an inkjet printer -- gathers manufacturing information from throughout the customer's plant, from as little as 200 data points to a maximum of 2000. It offers the benefit of continuous collection of data for key factors such as temperature, pressure, weights, motor load, speed, ingredient ratios and faults. FIN can communicate with all major PLC's; for older equipment without PLCs, ACI can supply Ethernet I/O modules. Equipment operators and factory supervisors can be alerted to deviations, and out-of-spec or fault conditions. The system also features a powerful function for analyzing historical trending to enable review of past measures and comparisons with current data.
FIN is a client-server based solution that can be preconfigured by ACI to customer's exact requirements. Unlike other data monitoring/collection systems, the base version of this system is easy-to-use and works out of the box in a matter of minutes, without the need for time-consuming configuration by the customer's engineering staff or costly engineering consultants.
What's more, FIN can be Internet enabled to permit remote monitoring, trending and printing in real-time from any internet-accessible location in the world. All trend and alarm data can be easily exported to Microsoft Excel in a matter of seconds.
According to Ron Iannacone, president of ACI, "The FIN system is an affordable data collection package that can actually help manufacturers save money by improving the output of old equipment, sometimes allowing them to bypass the need to purchase new, expensive machinery. It provides a "window "for customers to their manufacturing processes. And because it's completely automated, there's little chance of operator error, a key benefit for the shift-based environment of manufacturing facilities."
FIN is already being used by a number of producers in the chemical, vinyl, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Automation & Control, Inc. (ACI) is an industrial automation systems integrator and an electrical contractor master-licensed in 11 states. Established in 1995, ACI has grown into a multi-million dollar business that now offers control panel assembly, industrial electrical installation services, and industrial automation and data collection systems. The company is headquartered in West Berlin, New Jersey and can be reached at (888) 405-4017 or through their website at www.factoryintelligence.com.
