Burlington, Ontario -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/22/2011 -- Memex was founded in 1992 with a vision to improve the way automated machine tools work and connect on the factory floor. Memex Electronics evolved into Memex Automation and is still making circuit boards - but the vision has expanded to include the networking of all machine tools so that they can communicate with each other and with the computers in the administration office. In fact, the network may be extended to the Internet, allowing productivity and other statistics to be emailed to a PDA, or laptop anywhere in the world.
According to John Rattray, of Memex Automation, “By monitoring assets such as tooling, raw materials, Work In Progress, computers, vehicles and any moveable assets, companies can know quickly, exactly, and securely where assets are located. We work hand in hand with OEE, Lean and Six Sigma principles. We have been providing innovative shop floor productivity solutions for almost twenty years.”
Memex has become the leader in helping manufacturers transform every machine tool into a node on the corporate network in a real-time manner. Mills and lathes are monitored as they work, which helps with maintenance and inventory control. By monitoring production as it happens, companies can increase productivity by reducing downtime between jobs.
In 2005, Memex Electronics moved to Burlington Ontario, where the company maintains an active R & D department. From that location, the firm manufactures products, provide technical support, develop software and provide training.
Memex Automation was created in 2006 to develop the Dynamic Computer Aided Machining patent that will someday render traditional serial DNC and memory upgrades obsolete.
History:
1992 Co-Developed Bubble Memory Replacement for Fanuc 6/9/11/12
1993 Created Fanuc 0 & 10 CMOS Memory Upgrades
1994 Created the first High Speed Loader for Fanuc 6
1995 First Released the popular Mx1000 BTR
1996 Enabled a Network connection to Fanuc 6/11 – Invested in Spectrum
1997 Started Successful Caterpillar Flexible Manufacturing Retrofit
1998 Developed Fanuc 16/18 Memory Upgrades - Also Started retrofitting
1999 Opened US office – First CNC Web Connection – Joined OMAC
2000 Went Public as e-Manufacturing Networks Inc – Raised $5M – Bought 3 US companies: Greco Systems, Spectrum and IAS - Integrated Group leveraged combined 12,000 customers
2001 Became the Largest DNC Vendor in North America – OMAC adopts our XML Schema for Machine Tool Connectivity – Develop Web-based ION/Cortex for Machine Connectivity
2002 Memex spins off as an R&D Company HQ in Hamilton, ON
2003 Memex launches its Mx1100 Universal Machine Tool Interface
2004 Memex launches the Mx1050 and partners with other companies
2005 Memex becomes independent again and moves to 777 Walkers Line
2006 Memex Automation created to handle the Patent Pending breakthrough technology called Dynamic Computer Aided Machining (or DCAM) - great response at IMTS
2007 Memex Automation files full DCAM patent and also files Tool Tip Automation follow-on Patent - introduces Mitsubishi memory upgrades and Fanuc 6 firmware DNC option
2008 Astrix Group of companies formed to bring all the Memex assets together, works on MTConnect Technical Advisory Group, we expanded, added additional space, and moved the head office to 3425 Harvester Road, Burlington
2009 Launch of Integrated OEE+DNC Machine Monitoring and Control
2010 Memex asked to co-chair MTConnect Legacy Machine Tool working group
2011 Memex releases next version of OEE+DNC package incorporating the latest technology toolset, including Enterprise ready SQL, and many advance features
Many sectors are represented in the Memex customer roster, including:
Aerospace - Boeing, Goodrich, Dowty, Parker Hannefin, Héroux Devtek
Automotive - GM, Ford, Magna, Eaton, Linamar
Industrial - Caterpillar, John Deere, Westinghouse, Vickers, Case, Sanmina
Government - National Research Council, Jet Propulsion Laboratories,
The Royal Canadian Mint
About Memex Automation Inc.
Memex Automation Inc., http://www.memex.ca, a unit of Astrix Networks Inc., was created to leverage the research and development of Memex Electronics. Memex continues its tradition of serving the discrete manufacturing sector, supplying component hardware, memory upgrades, and visionary shop floor communication technology. Memex products allow a manufacturer to realize the impact of OEE Profitability.