| |
I/Gear DTU (Data Transport Utility) is a comprehensive
connectivity software product. It is both an engineer’s tool for connecting
technologies on the shop floor, and an IT standard for building a plant-wide,
omni-directional data transport infrastructure.
DTU establishes seamless connectivity between PLCs,
databases,spreadsheets, marquees, ERP systems, RFID and barcode scanners,
HMIs, plus many other serial, Ethernet,OLEDB, ODBC and OPC
compliant devices and systems.
DTU is dedicated to open and reliable data transport, with
no bias towards brands, models, or types of systems in place.
Because DTU is an infrastructure tool,
manufacturing customers use it in a variety of applications and settings. Below
are some successful deployments that represent a broad range of solutions, all
of which are based on the reliable movement of data enabled by DTU.
Accuride Corporation
I/Gear DTU is a corporate standard for Accuride. They utilize DTU to monitor PLC
program code changes. When a change is made to the code, DTU interfaces with an
email system to alert appropriate personnel of an unauthorized process change. The
PLC monitoring application helps ensure safety, security, and product quality.
DTU enables increased throughput and productivity by interfacing with press PLCs
and a paging system. A page is sent to the forklift driver when a pallet is near
empty to ensure the press is not starved of blanks or raw materials.
DTU interfaces with databases, PLCs, and an AS400 to drive Adaptive brand display
boards via wireless Ethernet. Production count, cycle time, and line status are
displayed and compared to target in real-time. This production status application
helps connect plant floor employees to the organization’s goals.
Alcan Aluminum Corporation
Alcan’s Primary Metals Group in Sebree, KY uses I/Gear DTU for data acquisition,
performance analysis, and product tracking and genealogy. DTU is the MES data
transport infrastructure of a system that generates a real-time overview of
the Work-In-Progress at any given time to see which cells are in use and what
products are being produced, including a detailed view of equipment states.
DTU also enables a detailed view of the production process with respect to
when raw material was received and prepped, when production occurred, and
when QA testing was performed, along with various other details and QA results.
DTU alerts key personnel to delays as they occur in an escalating fashion,
allowing corrective action to be taken instantly.
DTU interfaces with two different HMI packages, databases, paging and email
systems, and a 3rd party data logging system.
Dana Corporation
Dana Corporation has standardized on I/Gear DTU at fourteen sites. DTU is
interfacing with plant floor technologies and systems to provide the
connectivity required for applications relative to quality, OEE, visual
communication, part traceability, error proofing, alarm notification,
and the execution of production.
Specific technologies that DTU interfaces with at Dana today include:
Various PLCs (AB, Automation Direct, WAGO), Vorne displays, I/Gear Andon
display boards, various databases and spreadsheets (SQL, Oracle, Excel files),
Cognex vision systems, email servers, Stanley torque controllers, peen stampers,
barcode scanners, barcode label printers, FTP, customer broadcasts, and
email servers.
Below are three articles highlighting a small portion of the many successful
deployments of DTU within Dana Corporation.
Automotive Supplier Enables Quality and Traceability with I/Gear DTU
I/Gear helps Dana Corporation retain their contract with General Motors
I/Gear DTU ensures effective error-proofing at Toyota and Dana Corporation
United Parcel Service
UPS has standardized on I/Gear DTU in 30 hubs to date. The software is
used to collect data with respect to large quantities of packages moving
at high speeds through a conveyor system. By interfacing with PLCs,
databases, and barcode scanners, DTU is the data transport backbone
that ensures packages are properly diverted during a mission critical
and demanding sorting process.
|
