Milacron Inc., which introduced the personal-computer-based Xtreem controller at the 1997 NPE, now is rolling out an upgraded version based on standard Intel components-which will improve the system and make it more familiar to users, according to the company.
Milacron (Booths S1640 and S3006) is unveiling the Xtreem XP at NPE 2003. It runs the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. The Windows XP system is run by Pentium 4-2 GHz processors, one dedicated to controlling the machine, and the other for the independent operator station.
``The navigation, the look and feel, is more consistent with your laptop,'' said M. Barr Klaus, Milacron's vice president of technology. The Xtreem XP has a large color touch-screen monitor designed to be easy to use.
Five USB ports provide lots of capability for ``plug-and-play,'' high-speed connectivity with video cameras, flash drives, digital versatile discs, bar code readers and other devices.
The open-architecture controller also comes loaded with an MS Office interface, remote Ethernet LAN and Internet access, plus advanced diagnostics and data analysis functions.
The Xtreem XP also can run Milacron's Process Medic and Machine Medic software packages.
Pentium's Intel processors are the world-leading systems, said Ron Sparer, Milacron's controls engineering manager.
Sparer said Milacron is ``bringing to bear the full capability of the latest PC technology to best serve the spectrum of challenges facing the molder in the 21st century.''
