NEWPORT NEWS, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2005--
PBM Uses Automation to Increase Machine Productivity by 60%, Helping Parents Lower Annual Costs to Feed Newborns and Infants
Using automation innovation from GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc., a unit of GE Infrastructure, PBM Plastics, a subsidiary of PBM Products, has been named a Progressive Manufacturing Award Finalist by the well-respected trade publication, Managing Automation. PBM, which manufactures plastic containers and collapsible flexible liners such as leak-proof baby bottle liners, has increased machine productivity by 60%, decreased manufacturing costs and boosted quality.
With enhanced manufacturing including its patented Melt-Phase Forming, PBM helps companies innovate their products and package designs to shapes not previously possible and save money -- in some cases as much as 20% versus products made using traditional forming methods.
Formula for Success
Selected in the category of Business Model Mastery by an independent panel, PBM was recognized for re-engineering a significant business process to achieve a competitive advantage. The company developed its patented Melt-Phase Forming technology, which combines the advantages of thermoforming and blow molding, and modified its manufacturing with automation innovation to enhance the new process. In addition, PBM extended its Melt-Phase Forming technology into the Medical, Industrial, Consumer, Food, and Beverage industries.
Adam Burke, president of PBM Plastics, explained, "We wanted an automation solution that would accurately collect downtime data for faster troubleshooting and improved productivity. We also needed faster control technology to properly handle machine components and drive down manufacturing costs even more. Quality and precise process control remained critical in conjunction with operational diagnostics that needed to be world class. Our ultra-thin liners and containers go into both the commercial and consumer markets, and with PBM and GE's automation, we have improved the overall liner/container quality, taking us to a new level of performance under high-volume production."
Maintaining temperature control during the product molding process is vital to enable the deep draws that PBM can produce. With the control GE's technology innovation allows, PBM increased its efficiency and multilevel manufacturing monitoring.
"Customers begin the product development process with us online using our e-designer that quickly converts to a validation process and then moves to full commercialization. With GE Fanuc software, we are able to maintain the parameters and details of each customer's 'product recipe' or profile in the system and quickly and easily convert to full production at any time," Burke said. "All this adds up to increased product capabilities to the customer in both product design, production monitoring, quality and delivery."
Award-Winning Automation
PBM Plastics employs a GE Fanuc automation solution that features Proficy(TM) Machine Edition software. The Proficy family of software also recently received a Product of the Year, Gold Award, from leading trade publication, Plant Engineering, as selected by the magazine's readership. Furthermore, this January, the Proficy Real-Time Information Portal module received an Editors' Choice Award from Control Engineering magazine.
Burke concludes, "GE provided a turnkey solution that allowed us to focus on our core competencies - exceptional product innovation, quality and value. The resulting automation helps us keep our costs down, so we can provide unique products, high in quality and value to our customers. It is also helping us meet the productivity and volume goals that keep our customers satisfied."
GE Fanuc - www.gefanuc.com
PBM Plastics - www.PBMPlastics.com
Contacts
GE Fanuc Automation
Alicia Bowers, 717-285-4400
[email protected]