Aug 13, 2009 
maximizes line utilization and provides unprecedented visibility into production.
“Comprised of an all-new software technology, Dimensions® Line Manager dramatically
reduces downtime by up to 75%,” says Product Manager Shawn Robinson. This delivers
the highest achievable production efficiency and best cost of ownership in any
manufacturing environment.
Line Manager enables you to proactively manage changeover and part replenishment while
production continues on the line. Additionally, it provides dynamic instructions at each machine
for feeder destinations during changeover and automatically guarantees the correct locations.
“Users benefit by knowing that their products have been properly set up using Line Manager’s
host of offline changeover tools,” states Robinson.
Initial installations have demonstrated remarkable success and substantial improvements in
customer productivity. “Two to three hour changeovers have been reduced to a half hour or less
and, for our volume, that translates into hundreds more boards per week. Further, the closedloop
validation has also improved our product yields,” states Kevin Lang, Lead Process
Engineer for Catalyst Manufacturing, Endicott, NY. “Line Manager enables us to focus all our
resources on actual production, and not preparation”.
Line Manager offers a number of tools to manage production. Feeder Low alerts operators
when feeders are running low on parts so that a replacement feeder or reel can be prepared
before the line stops, further minimizing unnecessary downtime. Component Traceability PRESS RELEASE
records component placements on each board, minimizing the impact of a recall. Consumption
monitors part usage and provides real-time data to other factory systems. Reel Quantity
Management eliminates manual cycle counting by determining the number of components
remaining on each reel. Feeder and Component Tracking modules help operators and kitting
specialists locate the feeders and components they need, while maintenance technicians use
Feeder Maintenance to manage maintenance and repair activity.
Line Manager is a module-based product that can be individually tailored to fit any production
environment. Robinson states, “Manufacturers will appreciate its modularity, eliminating
unnecessary capital investments for tools which are not required for their specific applications.”
Line Manager is available for new Universal Surface Mount Platforms. There is also an
available upgrade path for previous generations of machines.
About
Universal Instruments:
Universal Instruments is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced automation
and assembly equipment solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry. Universal
provides complete assembly lines to EMS Providers, ODMs and electronics assemblers around
the world, leveraging its portfolio of compatible and flexible equipment platforms that address
the diverse requirements of high-speed chip and multifunction placement applications as well
as component insertion. Universal Instruments is headquartered in Binghamton, with offices in
Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
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