OMAC Packaging Workgroup Showcases the “Benefits of Packaging Line Integration” at Pack Expo International 2008
Research Triangle Park (9 September 2008) -- The OMAC Packaging Workgroup (OPW) will showcase the "Benefits of Packaging Line Integration" in their booth at Pack Expo International 2008. The booth will include demonstrations from six different companies highlighting the ease of integrating the various packaging line functions (control, HMI, MES) when utilizing the Connect-and-Pack ™ standards. The OPW Booth will be located in the Grand Concourse area of McCormick Place (Booth C-65) in Chicago, IL, November 9-13, 2008.
The Connect-and-Pack™ standards of PackML and PackTags were recently approved as part of the ISA88 standards. Connect-and-Pack™ standards make packaging operations more effective by simplifying customization and integration, which enables world class packaging operations. When implemented, packaging companies and their partners gain a competitive advantage as they leverage an integrated supply chain to optimize operations.
The companies participating with demonstration units utilizing the Connect-and-Pack™ standards in the OPW Booth include B&R Automation, Elau, GE Fanuc, Rockwell Automation, Wago, and Wonderware. Each HMI and MES function in the demonstrations will be able to communicate with every controller function in the demonstrations using the PackTags specification—part of the OPW Connect-and-Pack™ standards. All of the PackTags communication will be done over Ethernet using OPC. Some of the functions implemented in this integrated demonstration include controlling the machine states and modes, tracking production and reliability (including OEE), and alarm monitoring.
The recently approved ISA88 Technical Report on Machine and Unit States documenting how PackML and PackTags follow the ISA88 standard is available on the ISA standards website (www.isa.org/standards).
For more information on OPW’s Pack Expo International 2008 booth demonstration, visit www.omac.org/packexpo2008.
About OMAC
OMAC--the Organization for Machine Automation and Control--is the global organization for automation and manufacturing professionals that is dedicated to supporting the machine automation and operational needs of manufacturing. OMAC has about 500 members from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies, and currently operates three Working Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a charter member of the Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org). To learn more about OMAC, visit www.omac.org.
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