▲ Online organisation: The ALS Arburg host computer system ensures comprehensive IT networking of moulded part production and is a key component of Industry 4.0.

· Industry leader: More than 30 years of experience in networked production

· Key component of Industry 4.0: ALS host computer collects and archives process data

· Conference: Arburg gives presentation on the potential of Industry 4.0 in plastics processing

Lossburg. In addition to innovative injection moulding applications on Allrounder machines and the freeformer for additive manufacturing, Arburg is also presenting the Arburg host computer system (ALS) on Stand A41 in Hall 5.1. This enables the acquisition, archiving and seamless tracking of process data. Moreover, the ALS is a key component of Industry 4.0, which can flexibly achieve the networking of automated process chains and transmit all the collected data to a web server.

"Digital networking promotes transparency and consistency in plastic part production, and facilitates the optimum utilisation of the entire production capacity, particularly in the case of relatively small unit volumes and frequent product changes," explains Zhao Tong, Managing Director of the Arburg organisations in China. "Our automation experts in China are continuously expanding their activities jointly with customers with an aim to achieving Industry 4.0 and 'Made in China 2025'".

▲ "Industrie 4.0 – powered by Arburg": As a pioneer in the industry, Arburg looks back on more than 30 years of experience in digitally networked production.

Industry 4.0: Host computer networks production

As an industry leader in Industry 4.0, Arburg has more than 30 years of experience in the IT networking of machines. The Arburg host computer system, ALS, enables optimum production planning, data exchange between machine and peripherals, plus full end-to-end traceability of products as well as quality and production data. This makes the ALS an important tool for injection moulding companies, as it guarantees constantly high product quality, ensures optimum utilisation of production capacity, minimises downtimes and therefore increases production efficiency.

At the Arburg exhibition stand, visitors can see for themselves how the ALS can acquire and archive relevant process data online, and facilitate end-to-end tracking of orders, batches and individual parts. Its great advantage lies in its modular structure. Starting from a basic platform, the ALS can be expanded in modular fashion to suit a company’s individual needs. As a result, systems can be created to suit every requirement.

The exchange of data and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication via OPC UA and Euromap 77 enable high-speed communication between the machine and the host computer. Machines and peripheral components can thus be networked in a simple, standardised way.

Arburg at the Industry 4.0 conference

Arburg is also giving a talk on Industry 4.0 on Wednesday 17 May at the conference hosted by Adsale with the VDMA (German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers Association) accompanying the Chinaplas 2017. With automated Allrounder injection moulding machines, the freeformer for additive manufacturing and in-house IT solutions such as the Arburg host computer system, ALS, Arburg is developing into a system supplier for networked production in the digital factory.