FANUC outdid itself, winning not only the award for Supplier of the Year for the 11th time, but also being named the winner of the first-ever Innovation award.
FANUC won the award for its Zero Down Time (ZDT) Application – a software platform which analyzes data from GM’s robots throughout its factories to detect potential problems that could lead to failures in the production line.
If a potential failure is identified, ZDT alerts GM and FANUC’s Service Center. Parts and support can then be delivered to tackle the issue before any downtime occurs.
Innovating in Manufacturing with Automation and the Cloud
Currently, FANUC has installed ZDT in thousands of robots across 27 GM factories in five countries.
In addition to failure analysis, ZDT keeps track of robot usage and sends reminders to staff to ensure maintenance is performed on specific robots on time at GM’s facilities.
To ensure reliable transfer of the crucial data involved, GM partnered with Cisco to use their Cloud Data Center.
“The ability to collect data from our robots and analyze it in the cloud and to predict potential equipment issues before downtime occurs allows us to proactively address our customer’s needs,” said Rick Schneider, CEO of FANUC America.
Using ZDT, FANUC can collect data generated from their robots to determine how to optimize GM’s manufacturing systems by reducing energy consumption, extending equipment life and improving cycle time and product quality.
“With the FANUC ZDT solution, the robot is connected through a network and a Cisco data collector in the plant through to the Cisco cloud – all resulting in a sound and highly secure solution,” said Bryan Tantzen, senior director at Cisco IoT Vertical.
“By transferring the equipment data through a secure platform to the Cisco Cloud, Cisco and FANUC are building a manufacturing data highway, which will allow GM to collaborate with their large ecosystem of equipment suppliers and more easily perform preventive analytics and optimization with their equipment,” Tantzen added.
General Motors’ Supplier of the Year Awards
During the Supplier of the Year Awards ceremony, GM recognized 110 of its best suppliers across 17 countries. These suppliers won their respective awards for their ability to exceed GM’s expectations, create outstanding value or introduce new innovations to the company.
FANUC was the only non-vehicle-component supplier to win the Innovation award.
Other companies awarded for creating innovative solutions include:
- Autoneum – for providing new lightweight acoustic material in the 2016 GMC Acadia that reduces mass by 20 percent while improving acoustic performance.
- Delphi – for providing industry-first, vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication technology to provide 360-degree object detection able to see beyond the line of sight and around large obstructions. GM will bring the technology to market with their 2017 Cadillac CTS.
- Delta Electronics – for supplying an on-board charger module in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt that converts AC power into DC, with the purpose of recharging the battery pack of an electric car.
- Gentex – for introducing an industry-first rear camera mirror on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 that eliminates C-pillar obstacles and increases field of vision up to 300 percent.