Arch Systems has announced its collaboration with Plexus Corp. Accordingly, the partnership aims to enhance Plexus’ Industry 4.0 journey by implementing the ArchFX platform.

Arch Systems is a leading provider of data, analytics, and insightful actions for manufacturing operations. Meanwhile, Plexus has a solid clout in complex product design, supply chain, manufacturing, and sustaining services.

The ArchFX platform will be implemented across Plexus’ SMT lines within its production facilities globally. Thus, this integration will enable Plexus to capture vital analytics at various levels – from individual machines to the global scale.

Comprehensive Manufacturing Insights

Plexus chose Arch Systems for its pre-built operational intelligence platform and extensive insights library. Most importantly, Arch’s solution, characterized by its no downtime deployment and managed connectivity, stood out as a key factor in the decision. The ease of integrating both internet-enabled and legacy equipment with the ArchFX Cloud, achievable in mere hours, played a pivotal role in this choice.

Ronnie Darroch, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Plexus, commented, “The integration of ArchFX expands our Industry 4.0 capabilities via its advanced IoT connectivity, allowing us to stream real-time machine data globally to a cloud-based big data platform. ArchFX will provide comprehensive manufacturing insights and analytics across our global footprint as a single repository for our machine data.”

In addition, Darroch noted this capability is fundamental to Plexus executing its strategy through improving quality and productivity. Furthermore, it will also pave the way for leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence in product manufacturing.

End-to-End Visibility, Performance Tracking

Additionally, Plexus will utilize Arch’s GLO product to unify global and local operations. This will facilitate cohesive decision-making on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), utilization, and quality across our operations, driving efficiency and consistency.

Zoltan Szoke a Process Engineering Manager at Plexus noted, “Arch’s platform is a superior solution given the easy access to meaningful data compared to existing tools, which significantly reduces investigation times for engineers.”

Moreover, the partnership, which spans seven countries, aims to drive operational efficiencies and elevate Plexus’ Industry 4.0 capabilities. Particularly, through advanced analytics and machine learning.

Plans are also in place to expand ArchFX’s scope to automation and robotic connectivity in back-end assembly operations. Thus, ensuring end-to-end visibility and performance tracking.