Manufacturers rely on carriers at multiple production stages, facilitating the transportation of raw materials, components, and finished products. Modern independent carrier solutions, such as the Schneider Electric Lexium MC12 multi carrier are becoming more prevalent for a growing number of industrial applications. While many advantages of independent carrier systems over older conveyance methods in certain applications are well understood, the true value of the right carrier solution to OEMs is not quite so straightforward and requires a deeper understanding of the complexities in delivering new technologies in a variety of different applications.
Early uses for independent carrier solutions were focussed on complex and highly customised production requirements in industries such as electronics assembly and automotive or medical device manufacture, where accuracy and repeatability are crucial. Now, the flexibility and customisation capabilities of the technology have quickly extended the use cases into other manufacturing environments that benefit from short runs and rapid changeovers in production. Here, the ability to quickly reprogramme carriers, scale up or down, and use digital twins for simulation, in addition to the aforementioned improvements accuracy and repeatability, means that overall productivity can be drastically improved, while new levels of product customisation and variety can be provided to consumers. In short, independent carriers are a vital technology pushing manufacturing to new levels of productivity, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
The market for independent carriers is diverse, with many vendors offering a variety of solutions to meet a variety of needs, making the selection of carriers an important decision for OEMs as they seek to balance functionality, flexibility, ease of integration, compliance, scalability, reliability, and service quality against price and availability for their customers.
Remove complexity
The right choice of carrier technology can help overcome a variety of common challenges for OEMs as well as offering a raft of capability benefits.
Integration
Lexium MC12 multi carrier technology is designed to be highly compatible and versatile, making it suitable for integration with various vendor technologies and systems in manufacturing environments due to its open architecture which allows it to communicate and work with different vendor technologies and control systems. By choosing Lexium MC12, OEMs can be assured that the required compatibility with PLCs, SCADA systems, MES and ERP systems are already in place. Similarly, the carriers can be integrated seamlessly with HMIs and can exchange data with other equipment sensors and devices on the factory floor as well as Edge and Cloud environments.
Compliance
Another crucial factor that often introduces complexity into carrier selection is regulatory compliance. OEMs operate across various sectors, each with distinct compliance prerequisites. Whether it’s the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or treatment processes sector, the compliance standards can vary significantly, and OEMs are obligated to guarantee that their chosen carriers adhere to regulatory and safety standards.
Furthermore, with scalability in mind, it’s imperative to ensure that carriers continue to meet evolving regulatory requirements as an end user’s business undergoes changes and expansion.
Another crucial factor that often introduces complexity into carrier selection is regulatory compliance. OEMs operate across various sectors, each with distinct compliance prerequisites. Whether it’s the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or treatment processes sector, the compliance standards can vary significantly, and OEMs are obligated to guarantee that their chosen carriers adhere to regulatory and safety standards. Furthermore, with scalability in mind, it’s imperative to ensure that carriers continue to meet evolving regulatory requirements as an end user’s business undergoes changes and expansion.
Sustainability
Lexium MC12 multi carrier technology can play an important role in supporting end users on their journey towards achieving net-zero emissions and promoting sustainability. These carriers offer highly energy-efficient and precise material handling solutions, addressing key sustainability objectives. By significantly reducing waste and optimising resource use, Lexium MC12 multi carriers contribute to a more environmentally responsible approach to manufacturing and material handling.
A key strength lies in their ability to seamlessly integrate with renewable energy sources, effectively harnessing sustainable power options. This integration ensures that energy usage is as eco-friendly as possible, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with material handling processes. Lexium MC12 multi carriers align perfectly with Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform, enhancing overall energy management and sustainability efforts across the board.
Furthermore, Lexium MC12 multi carriers facilitate sustainability reporting, enabling organisations to track their progress towards net-zero emissions and other environmental targets. This robust reporting capability empowers end users to monitor and communicate their sustainability achievements effectively, promoting transparency and accountability in their sustainability initiatives.
Add capability
Lexium MC12 multi carrier system provides numerous advantages to OEMs, enhancing machine capabilities and simplifying operations.
Importantly, the MC12 offers digital twin capability. This is virtual replica of the physical MC12 multi carrier system, mirroring its behaviour and capabilities in a digital environment. OEMs can use this digital twin for comprehensive testing, simulation, and optimisation of their production processes. By experimenting with different configurations and scenarios in the digital realm, OEMs can identify and address potential issues, fine-tune machine performance, and optimise production efficiency. This reduces the risks and costs associated with real-world experimentation and accelerates the development and deployment of MC12-based machines, ultimately benefiting OEMs by improving time-to-market, reducing downtime, and enhancing overall machine capabilities.
The modularity of Lexium MC12 multi carriers allows OEMs to customise their machines efficiently, reducing the complexity of machine design and assembly. This modular flexibility enables OEMs to tailor machines to meet specific production requirements, ensuring a seamless fit for various applications. It also means that they are highly scalable allowing OEMs to easily expand or reduce machine capacity by adding or removing carriers and track as needed. This scalability helps maximise resource use and ensures machines can adapt to changing production demands, enhancing overall efficiency for the end user, and improving the overall performance capabilities that the OEM can bring to market.
The modularity of Lexium MC12 multi carriers allows OEMs to customise their machines efficiently, reducing the complexity of machine design and assembly. This modular flexibility enables OEMs to tailor machines to meet specific production requirements, ensuring a seamless fit for various applications. It also means that they are highly scalable allowing OEMs to easily expand or reduce machine capacity by adding or removing carriers and track as needed. This scalability helps maximise resource use and ensures machines can adapt to changing production demands, enhancing overall efficiency for the end user, and improving the overall performance capabilities that the OEM can bring to market.
In conclusion, the adoption of independent carrier technology, exemplified by Schneider Electric’s Lexium MC12 multi carrier system, presents numerous advantages for both OEMs and end users. These systems are not limited to high-accuracy applications; they offer solutions to a wide array of challenges while enhancing machine capabilities across various industrial sectors.
Integration is simplified through improved compatibility and versatility, allowing seamless communication with different vendor technologies and control systems. Compliance becomes more manageable with the system’s tracking, tracing, and monitoring features, ensuring adherence to industry-specific standards and regulations. Sustainability is promoted as the carriers align with best practices, integrating renewable energy sources and facilitating sustainability reporting.
Moreover, Lexium MC12 technology empowers OEMs by providing a digital twin capability for comprehensive testing and simulation, reducing risks and development costs. Its modularity and scalability enable efficient customisation and resource optimisation, while the system’s smaller footprint and reduced maintenance requirements contribute to improved machine efficiency and higher productivity levels.
To find out more about the Lexium MC12 multi carrier system, visit the Schneider Electric website.
