Case Study: Machine Builder Bridges PLC and Enterprise System Databases Without Writing Code

As digitization continues to take the manufacturing world by storm, there is a growing need to connect information technology (IT) systems with production machinery. In other words, to truly reap the operational and cost benefits of connected enterprise systems, there needs to be a technology in place to facilitate the exchange of data between the top-level enterprise and machine controller. Until now, many manufacturers have bridged this gap by writing custom code, driving up time and costs and significantly increasing their time to market.

These were some of the recent challenges faced by TranTek Automation, a Michigan-based manufacturer that specializes in robotic welding systems. Fortunately, a solution came in the form of the tManager Enterprise Appliance Transaction Module, which seamlessly connects enterprise-level databases with programmable logic controllers (PLC).

With this innovative appliance in place, TranTek Automation quickly delivered a plasma cutting robotic system that could communicate with its customer’s enterprise database without having to write any code. At the same time, the end user took advantage of tManager’s ability to download recipes and manufacturing instructions directly into the controller.