New Entry in Plant-Wide Production Monitoring.

EZ-Track 1.0 is a new real-time, plant-wide production monitoring and reporting system from Moldflow Corp., Wayland, Mass. The new package of data-acquisition hardware and software analysis tools marks Moldflow's move into shop-floor monitoring since its recent acquisition of Branden Technologies.

EZ-Track monitors machine status, cycle time, downtime, scrap generation, material usage, labor activity, and seven additional time-related measurements. It counts parts, packed cases, start-up shots, and four other user-defined counts. It detects downtime automatically and allows classification into an unlimited number of causes.

The system is based on a new input/output (I/O) unit located at each machine. It has a touch-screen LCD, 16 digital input channels for automatic timing, counting, and production-rate monitoring, plus eight digital output channels for activating alarms, diverting parts, and other control functions. The entire operation can be viewed on a standard PC with EZ-Track software for Windows NT. It can display pictures, work instructions, and reference documents related to a job. The software also includes a drag-and-drop scheduling module that automatically updates estimated job-completion times and checks for mold or machine conflicts. Prices start at $13,500 installed.