FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2002

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.ľGE Fanuc Automation introduces one of the industry’s first complete, one-source Machine Tool Probing Solution packages, which incorporate probes from Renishaw, plc, at the WESTEC Advanced Productivity Exposition 2002 in Los Angeles, March 18-21 (Booth #2649). Probes are important to achieving lean manufacturing, and application of a turnkey probing solution can ensure seamless integration, simplify implementation, and reduce setup time.

“With increasing demand for just-in-time manufacturing and low-volume production, setup time -- rather than cycle time -- is causing manufacturing bottlenecks,” said Douglas Peterson, vice president of GE Fanuc’s CNC and Laser Business. “GE Fanuc’s new Machine Tool Probing Solutions not only can reduce setup time, but also expand the use of machine tools to help improve manufacturing productivity for end users.”

Machine tool probes can provide many additional benefits, including: eliminating the need for expensive fixturing; verification of correct part loading; fast, accurate, and consistent automatic part and fixture datuming; reductions in setup time, scrap, machine downtime, and operator intervention / potential mistakes; increased operator productivity; and overall time savings.

 GE Fanuc’s new Machine Tool Probing Solution packages, which include the probe, CNC components, and installation and integration services, can be implemented on FANUC-based CNC products manufactured since the late 1980s, greatly expanding their capabilities. And, with these turnkey probing solutions, users can extend the functionality of probes beyond automation of tooling setups and fixture offsets to integration with control and other applications that can increase the throughput of quality parts. These applications include: 

• GE Fanuc Manual Guidance, which allows operators who have no knowledge of G coding to program probing cycles easily;
• SPC Data Collection and Closed Loop Machining, which enables users to collect tool and parts data through a PC and to modify offsets based on this data;
• Reverse Engineering a part using RESCAN400, a product developed by GE Fanuc and Renishaw, to digitize a part up to four times faster than most existing digitizing solutions;
• On-Machine Coordinate Measuring. Because today’s machine tools are so accurate, they can be used as CMMs, which reduces production time by alleviating the need to transfer a part from the machine to a CMM; and
• Ballbar Software, which helps ensure the accuracy of the machine tool.

The packages are easy to order: to receive configuration and pricing, users simply access an online form and indicate the probes needed and the type of machine and control being used. After GE Fanuc receives the checklist, the appropriate probing solution is shipped rapidly.

“This is the first of many solution packages from GE Fanuc that will address the manufacturing process needs of machine tool end users,” Peterson said.

About GE Fanuc Automation

GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc. is a leading global supplier of industrial control systems and is a joint venture between GE and FANUC, Ltd. of Japan. GE Fanuc products and services include CIMPLICITY® manufacturing enterprise-wide software, nano to high-end PLCs, a wide range of CNCs, motion control systems, operator interfaces, industrial computers, CO2 and YAG lasers, and a wide range of integration and customer support services. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., GE Fanuc is part of GE Industrial Systems.

About GE Industrial Systems

GE Industrial Systems is a $6 billion global leader in manufacturing products used to distribute, protect and control electrical power and equipment, and supplying product and service solutions for commercial, industrial, residential and utility applications. GE Industrial Systems is one of GE's major businesses.

For more information, visit http://www.gefanuc.com or contact:  GE Fanuc Information Center, P.O. Box 229, Whitehall, PA 18052, Phone: (800) 648-2001, Fax: (610) 437-5212, e-mail: gefanuc@gefanuc.com.

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CIMPLICITY is a registered trademark of GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.