WNIP JUL AUG 19.4 Digital

8
19.4
State-of-the-art local production facilities
Rooted in the ‘SMC way’ for
28 years, Pete Austin truly
embodies the corporation’s
culture, philosophies and values.
Today, as the head of
production for SMC Pneumatics
UK, Austin has been tasked with
the setting up of South Africa’s
production facility.
Austin has been involved
since the conception of SMC
Pneumatics South Africa and
looks to steer this state-of-theart
production facility to ensure
global standardization and
that SMC’s local production
capabilities meet the stringent
international standards of SMC’s
head office in Japan.
“It’s an honour to form part
of the local team and to play a key
role in taking the organisation’s
production processes from
start-up to success,” Austin
explains. “Creating a competitive
advantage through efficiencies,
superior quality, the right
people and ultimately customer
satisfaction is what we strive for”.
Thanks to its significant
investment into South Africa
(exceeding R100 million), SMC
aims to enrich the local economy
through job creation, skills transfer
and resources during trying
economic times. “We are starting
off with a production team of
four to five people and over time
these numbers should increase
depending on demand,” Austin
says.
While skills are vital, SMC look
to personality types as part of its
unique culture when recruiting.
Austin elaborates: “Regardless
of language or nationality, what
sets SMC a part is the fact that we
always put the customer first and
this is ultimately the common
thread that binds all 87 countries”.
SMC’s local production
facilities are situated at its head
office in Midrand, Johannesburg
and will be fully operational from
July 2016 once all the machinery
has been commissioned and
samples have been signed off
by SMC Japan. “The machinery
acquired equates to over R1.8
million and has been sourced
from the likes of Japan, Germany,
France, the UK, the USA and
Italy. Each piece of production
equipment is top of the range
and in-line with international
specifications. What’s more,
several of our CNC machines is the
first on the African continent, once
again proving that we truly are
innovators in the market,” Austin
elaborates.
SMC Raises the Bar
The standardization of SMC’s
processes and products around
the globe leaves no room for
deviation. “SMC’s output is all
about quality and efficiency –
particularly when you are dealing
with over 12,000 basic products
and 700,000 variations+. By
controlling our quality, processes
and ultimately the production of
our products, we not only protect
our reputation as the world leaders
but also ensure that our customer’s
production lines perform at their
optimum”.
Initial stages will see the
production of several lines
including various sized cylinders,
manifold assemblies, air
preparation units as well as kitting
and accessorizing. “Possessing
such a broad customized range
means that we will still make use of
our extensive international supply
chain,” Austin says.
“With over 50 years and 87
countries under our belt, SMC’s
vertical supply chain ensures that
we can tap into various countries
production lines for stock whilst
remaining quick, efficient and
affordable”.
SMC’s ‘customer first’
mentality is the true benefit of
local production with Austin
concluding: “The real benefit
of local production is quick
turnarounds and availability of
non-stock items as well as urgent
parts and technical expertise in
case of breakdowns.”
sales@smcpneumatics.co.za
All-in-one PLC with next generation technology
LSIS is setting new standards
in ultimate performance PLC’s
by reinventing the XEC range and
introducing the NEW XEC-U with
a backplane that is 70 times faster
than its predecessor.
The XEC-U boasts many
features that have not yet been
seen in PLC’s in its class. Before
the XEC-U one would generally
add to the costs of ones projects
with all the add-on modules for
Communications, I/O, Motion and
Analogues.
The XEC-U Boasts among
other things, 2x Ethernet ports,
1x RS272C, 1x RS485, 1xUSB port,
72T or 28R I/O*, Analog 4xI/4xO*,
Positioning 4 Axes*.
The XEC-U is also expandable
by 10 modules or 752 I/O points.
All of this and more come at
a price that will help you to build
a system that will not cost you the
world. LSIS has also elected to
provide the XG5000 Integraon
Software at no charge to their
clients.
This makes sense doesn't it?
The software is IEC compliant
and supports LD, SFC and St
programming formats. Previous
PLC models are all supported and
converted to new models with
ease and a little tweaking to align
addressing.
With the two unmanaged
Ethernet ports a Systems
Integrator can implement a Daisy
Chain Topology or interface to a
Star Topology.
This can be done with existing
systems depending on the
requirements of the system.
Data Logging is becoming the
buzz word in plants as wasted time
and production equals losses. This
feature is part of the
XEC-U package and is
achieved either by FTP server
or direct transfer of the csv
file to a reporting system. This
would assist with production
monitoring, machine health and
losses.
With the built-in Web Server
capabilities to assist with logging,
monitoring, and machine
performance, one can develop an
HTML webpage into a standard SD
card.
The SD slot is conveniently
hidden under a flap cove on the
front panel of the XEC-U.
Viewing the webpage is
achieved by accessing the IP
address of the XEC-U through a
standard web browser anywhere
in the world.
Added to this is a SNTP for
time synchronizing for setting
parameters needed for you
production in real time.
An Email server (SMTP)
through commercially available
email service providers makes
it possible for fault, alarms and
reporting to be sent on a regularly
or a need to know basis.
With an Industrial Mobile
Network Modem one can also
send and receive SMS’ for faults
and alarms with reset, start, stop
and other commands being sent
in response.
As you can see, the XEC-U
needs more investigation when it
comes to modular type PLC’s. With
the XEC-U the bottom line is what
counts.
This is the well packaged
solution designed for your
automation needs at an
understandable price.
sales@anadigi.co.za