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Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) uses Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) to
electronically control and monitor production machinery. Many manufacturing companies have installed
a PLC on their production machines. But few have learned to take advantage of the raw data the PLC
collects.
The Plex PLC/Machine Integration module establishes an electronic linkage between
the Plex Online information and your production machines that allows you to finally take advantage of
your PLC-equipped equipment.
Features: (Click [+] or [-] to expand/collapse a feature.)
Monitoring and Reporting 
Production machines automatically report uptime, downtime, faults, production counts, and other critical events to
Plex. All machine status changes are recorded in Plex Online's detailed Workcenter Log, which drives downtime
analysis reports, OEE, labor and production efficiency reports, and other subsystems. This increases accuracy
of management reports at the same time it reduces dependency on human labor.
Plex Online automatically gathers, collects and summarizes pertinent PLC data into useful management
information. Plex Online provides an array of powerful reports.
Controlling
Optionally, Plex Online can be setup to not just monitor, but control the production machinery. For example,
some of our customers configure Plex Online to automatically pause the machine when the standard quantity has
been produced into a bin (preventing non-standard pack sizes) or the job quantity has been fulfilled (preventing
over production). Others configure Plex such that it will not let the machine physically run unless an approved
operator has logged in, the correct tools are installed in the machine, the correct raw materials are in place,
and the proper quality inspections have been performed.
Machine Setup Recipes
Plex Online stores and organizes Machine Setup Recipes. A recipe is a collection of machine
settings that will configure the machine to produce a specific part in the most efficient and repeatable fashion.
Accessible from the Plex Online Control Panel, this allows the operator to easily download a standard setup into
the PLC at the beginning of a production run, thus auto-configuring the machine in a standard way each time for
that specific part. This decreases setup time, reduces variation, improves quality, and increases production.
Shop Screen Module
The Plex Online Shop Screen Module provides a map-like pictorial view of the
overall shop floor, depicting each production machine in a different color and animation depending on its current
status. This is a useful communication tool for tooling and maintenance personnel to know what's happening at all
the machines. It also provides a useful supervisory tool for management. The Shop Screen concept is patented by
Plex Systems, LLC.
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