Consistent MDA Structures with Ethernet Data Terminal

Reduce Costs - Enhance Production - Secure Quality

Achieving complete and thorough backtracking of production processes is still a challange today. Distributed data terminals with totally differnt communication interfaces hardly permit any centralized, real-time acquistion and evaluation of production data. Some plants already have central MDA termial devices based on industrial PC's for the simultaneous monitoring of many different machines. But the operation of these devices is fairly complex and often does not provide quick and easy access in the case of production failures, which leads to unnecessary delays.

Our ipcas MDA (machine data acquisition) solution with the Ethernet Terminal, in contrast, is not only cost-efficient, but it is also easy to operate. Above all, it is a most sensible investment into the future. The distributed Ethernet Terminals can be easily intergrated into any kind of environment. The Ethernet network is used as a standard industrial communication interface. Other devices (barcode scanners with pistol grips, slip printers, pen scanners, etc.) can also be integrated by using its RS232 and RS485 interfaces.

The I/O Interface, 4 digital inputs, allow the recording of machine cycles without interfering with the machine controls. After reaching the specified number of pieces, the machine can be stopped automatically through two relay outputs to prevent overproduction. All required production data such as the produced quantity, runtimes, machine states, etc. are recorded real-time, evaluated centrally, and compiled automatically as updated reports.

In the long run, Ethernet communication supports homogenous IT networking. This speeds up maintenance work, and additional data acquistion terminals can be added without any planned downtime. Uniform user interfaces allow you to focus on the essential.

This enables immediate responses to faults and failures. Downtime specification can be recorded and assessed cost-efficiently without delay directly at the machine. By speeding up fault diagnostics, the device also supports production management in its shift organization. At best, the once faulty machine is back in production long before other systems can report the fault.

Parts with barcodes enable close and accurate production tracking. By combining MDA with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, the actual inventory and the parts already in production always remain traceable. That means you can reduce stocks and improve time planning. A low-frequency RFID reader operating at 125kHz is already integrated in the Ethernet Terminal device. A barcode reader can be connected to the RS232 interface.

Apart from the Ethernet Terminal, no further systems or devices are required in the plant or at the machine. This saves maintenance costs and increases ROI. The rugged, fanless terminal has no rotating parts. It is splash-proof and extremely power-saving. Combined with a database and report server, the Ethernet Terminal provides highly cost-effective overall solutions for companies of any size.