Press release
25 years of Arburg host computer
system ALS

Anniversary celebrations at Arburg locations in
Lossburg, Rednitzhembach and Radevormwald

Pioneering achievement: first host computer
software for injection moulding sector

File:
Pressemitteilung 25
Jahre AL 2011_en_GB
Date: 14.12.2011
Characters: 4.832
Words: 835
ARBURG GmbH + Co KG
Press office
Dr. Bettina Keck
Postfach 1109
72286 Lossburg, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 7446 33-3259
Fax: +49 (0) 7446 33-3413
presse_service@arburg.com
ALS provides networking, monitoring and
documentation
Lossburg. In 1986, the invention of the Arburg host
computer system ALS – the first ever software
intended specifically for injection moulding plants –
was a pioneering achievement. It enables the
networking of machines, the monitoring of processes
and the documentation of settings data. Today, ALS is
a valuable tool with which injection moulders can
achieve consistently high product quality and
optimum production capacity utilisation, as well as
minimise downtimes, significantly enhancing
production efficiency.
In November 2011, on the occasion of the anniversary “25
years of ALS”, Arburg invited interested parties to its
German locations in Lossburg, Radevormwald and
Rednitzhembach. Experts provided information on the
application capabilities of the host computer system and
This and other press
releases are available for
download from our website
at http://www.arburg.com/
press
demonstrated how it can be used to optimise efficiency in
moulded part production. Some 80 managing directors,
production managers and responsible ALS staff took
advantage of the opportunity to share their experience and
engage in individual consulting. Specialist presentations
on the ALS milestones, its application for medical
technology and new mobile developments completed the
programme.
Historical background
In 1954, Arburg developed its first injection moulding
machine, initially for the company’s own use. Demand was
so great, however, that series production began two years
later. In 1961, the Allrounder principle was then invented,
enabling an injection moulding machine that could operate
in several positions and paving the way for
groundbreaking applications such as multi-component
injection moulding. The first electronic control system for
injection moulding machines worldwide was introduced
onto the market by Arburg in 1972 and was followed by
microprocessors three years later. From the idea of
achieving “flexible automation of injection moulding”
(German: FADS), the medium-sized machine
manufacturer initiated in 1985 a joint project with the then
German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology
(BMFT). In 1986, Arburg finally launched the
groundbreaking host computer system ALS onto the
market, merely five years after the PC had started to make
its way into offices and homes. Up until then, no interfaces
were available in the injection moulding sector, let alone
software solutions for communication between machine,
automation solution and peripherals.
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Machine, control system and software from a single
source
ALS customers benefit from the extensive Arburg knowhow in injection moulding technology. The machines,
control systems and the host computer system are
developed and produced in-house; sales and support are
from a single source. Arburg has designed the practiceoriented software solution precisely in line with injection
moulders’ requirements regarding flawless process and
part quality. Since 2009, ALS has also been SAP certified.
Managing complex injection moulding processes
With the growing complexity of injection moulding
processes, a higher level of qualification is necessary for
order planners, machine installation technicians and
operators. A modular, high-performance production
management system (MES) ensures transparency of
production. ALS is a valuable tool for the central planning,
fast acquisition and straightforward management of
machine and order data.
The major advantage of ALS is its modular structure.
Starting from a basic platform, the system can be
expanded in accordance with a company’s individual
needs. The individual expansion modules can be matched
to the relevant configuration. As a result, systems can be
created to suit every requirement.
The basic expansion stages for machine and operating
data acquisition (MDA and ODA) form the basis of all
individually configurable Arburg host computer systems.
These can be freely combined and expanded.
Today, some 5,000 Allrounders and injection moulding
machines from other manufacturers are connected to an
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Arburg host computer system. The Arburg solution
satisfies the trend towards the automation of injection
moulding processes and the increasing demands with
regard to seamless quality assurance. In addition to
robotic systems, an increasing number of peripherals and
the automated selection of good and reject parts are being
integrated into a central control system in the case of
production cells. With the host computer system, the
machine and equipment can be easily interlinked,
efficiently controlled and all processes continuously
documented. Various orders can be directly allocated to
individual machines. The order status, production
schedule and unit volumes are all visible at a glance.
Thanks to the automatic monitoring and documentation of
changes in the production process, product quality can
also be actively improved.
Mobility trend
For modern information management, it is not always
enough to have the latest production data available only
on the office computer. Stationary devices are being
increasingly replaced with mobile applications. Arburg has
recently introduced a new solution for smartphones. With
“ALS Mobile”, decision-makers can call up current
production data in real time from any location, permitting
an extremely flexible response. In order to continuously
measure and control performance in production planning,
the current OEE values, for example, can be transmitted
via a smartphone. This “Overall Equipment Efficiency”, a
quotient based on quality, efficiency and availability,
provides an indication of added value. Furthermore, the
ALS analysis tool provides insights into current cycle
times, running orders, shifts, batches, unit volumes and
the current utilisation level of the machine fleet. In addition
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to smartphones, PC terminals, the relevant scanners and
other web-capable devices can also be equipped with the
new functionality.
Photo
0000031991-01.jpg
On the occasion of the “25 years of ALS” anniversary,
experts such as Michael Vieth, Group Leader TA Control
Technology, provided information on the application
capabilities of the Arburg host computer system ALS and
demonstrated how it can be used to optimise efficiency in
moulded part production.
Photo: Tom Schleicher/vor-ort-foto.de
About Arburg
Arburg, a German machine construction company, is one of the leading global
manufacturers of injection moulding machines for plastics processing with clamping
forces between 125 kN and 5,000 kN. Fields of application include the production of
plastic parts for motor vehicles, communications and consumer electronics, medical
technology, domestic appliances and packaging. The product range is completed by
robotic systems, complex projects and other peripherals. Arburg’s operations are
coordinated by an integrated management system and are DIN EN ISO 9001 and
14001 certified. Arburg is represented by its own organisations at 32 locations in 24
countries and by trading partners in more than 50 countries. However, production takes
place exclusively in the parent factory in Lossburg (Germany) – with the mark of quality
“made by Arburg – made in Germany”. From a total of around 2,150 Arburg employees,
1,800 work in Germany. A further 350 employees work in Arburg’s organisations around
the world.
Further information about Arburg can be found at www.arburg.com.
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