Fastems LLC will have an array of automation solutions aimed to handle high mix, low volume production at IMTS 2018 in its South Building booth 339178. Among the demonstration modules will be its recently renewed FMS ONE, a fully configurable machine tool pallet automation system. Further, the latest generation of Manufacturing Management Software (MMS) will be highlighted showing its new features for manually operated work cells, and its extended capability for controlling robotic automation will be officially launched at IMTS. Additionally, a compact loading robot cell called Halter Load Assistant will be in action in Fastems’ booth in partnership with Halter CNC.
“We’ll have a lot to show people at IMTS on our demo kiosks,” said David Suica, president of Fastems LLC. “These are real world examples and practical solutions from entry-level automation to those far along the path to Industry 4.0. Our equipment, and even our software, is more adaptive and modular than ever for fast deployment. There’s a growing need for manufacturers to handle shorter product lifecycles, higher product mixes and lower volumes, and we can fulfill that scenario exactly. Additionally, and just as important if not more so, we have the applications expertise and support to make the cell or system efficient.”
Fastems’ automation equipment includes a variety of extendable and flexible manufacturing systems, robot applications, and control software; stacker cranes; conveyors; loading/unloading stations; pallet magazines and assembly organizers; and raw material stations to name a few. These automation systems have open interfaces and they can be incorporated with virtually any modern CNC machine tool and auxiliary equipment brands. Typical applications range from joining two machine tools together with Flexible Palletized Container (FPC) to highly sophisticated, factory-wide flexible manufacturing systems.
MMS is heralded as one of the most practical yet comprehensive software in the industry. Now that it can also guide and control manually operated work cells adds to its value. Other compelling features about MMS include its ability to automatically read and manage orders from an ERP system; it plans, schedules and simulates the production in advance; makes changes automatically to the production plan based on changes in orders, available tools or materials; alerts operators on upcoming production stops and resource shortages; reduces paperwork and; provides an overview of the entire production work flow at a glance.
About Fastems
Fastems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fastems Oy Ab, Tampere Finland. The company established its Cincinnati-area North American headquarters in 2006 as an independent integrator of flexible automation systems. Fastems currently employs about 400 people in the U.S., Europe, and Asia and has more than 4,500 systems installed worldwide.