Flexxbotics announces multi-factory solution for enhanced in-line inspection and automation in large scale deployments

“What we are doing with the Flexxbotics solution is enabling the large-scale orchestration of fleets of production robots with existing automation machinery and IT systems for continuous operations with command & control across multi-factory environments.”

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Flexxbotics has unveiled the latest edition of its Flexxbotics solution. The latest release includes multi-factory capabilities for large-scale deployments, improvements to in-line inspection processes, business system integration, enhanced analytics, and support for tablets and smartphone access. The solution can now be implemented in robotic machine tending which can enable autonomous process control across multiple sites and increase capacity, production yields, and EBITDA profitability.

By using the Flexxbotics solution, the user will be able to control the continuous operation of unattended robot+machine+inspection work cells to ensure high levels of throughput, quality, and safety. The platform can connect, coordinate, and control robots with existing automation capabilities and utilise them in complex production operations.

“Scalability was a key criteria in our selection process as we plan to roll out the solution across our factories, which Flexxbotics makes possible,” said William Hoose, Plant Manager at Engineered & Industrial Solutions. “The Flexxbotics solution enabled us to quickly identify the root cause of our downtime issues and provided effective resolution to maximise our utilisation and performance.”

Flexxbotics’ new features:

  • Multi-factory power: Providing enterprise control across multiple sites when operating in the “lights-out” manufacturing mode. The platform is also compatible with over 1000 different CNC (and other inspection equipment) makes and models. 
  • In-line inspection performance: The platform can take automated inspection results from each part, run statistical process control (SPC) in real time, and then provide the robots with any rework instructions. Additionally, the Flexxbotics solution can also give the option for any autonomous updates that the CNC machines may benefit from.
  • Business system integration and expanded analytics: The latest updates provide increased connectivity capabilities for the system. While it is already compatible with a selection of systems, analytics dashboards for OEE, utilisation, downtime reasons, part throughput, cycle performance, yield, failure reasons and other REST API capabilities can now benefit from the platform.
  • Secure tablet and smartphone access: Users can now monitor robotic production via their phones and tablets, with downtime alerts and escalations now being able to be sent to the user via text message or email notification. This particular feature is available on Windows, iOS and Android devices.
  • Deployment at scale: With the solution able to be rolled out at multiple sites, Flexxbotics’ platform can provide flexible deployment options which can fit any strategic robotic automation roadmap. The system can implement work cells in multiple factories either at scale or individually to reduce the risk of disruption or interruption.

“We recognise that each manufacturers’ strategy for robotic enablement in their smart factory is unique and depends on a variety of business and technical factors,” said Tyler Bouchard, Co-founder & CEO of Flexxbotics. “That’s why Flexxbotics' latest release is designed to work with existing factory machinery and systems while delivering the most advanced digital capabilities on the market for robot-driven manufacturing with autonomous process control.”