Mazak Optonics and Memex Jointly Demonstrate at FabTech: How to Increase Production and Income From Operations With MTConnect-Based MERLIN


BURLINGTON, ON--(Marketwired - Oct 17, 2014) - Astrix Networks Inc., operating as Memex Automation (TSX VENTURE: OEE) ("Memex" or the "Company"), the global leader of manufacturing M2M productivity solutions, is pleased to announce that Mazak Optonics has invited Memex to jointly demonstrate MERLIN's ability to connect all manufacturing machines to management, reports plant-wide capacity utilization, and increases production and income from operations in real-time. Mazak's laser-cutting systems and MERLIN will be demonstrated at FabTech, Booth 3525, November 11-13, Atlanta, GA.

Yamazaki Mazak is the global leader in the design and manufacture of highly productive machine tools and automation systems. Mazak Optonics is the laser-cutting systems division of Yamazaki Mazak Corporation and the third division to demonstrate MERLIN as a value-add MTConnect-based partner solution. MERLIN was demonstrated by Mazak at IMTS, September 2014, and at EMO, Hannover, Germany, in September 2013.

Mazak USA purchased MERLIN to manage its plant in Florence, KY, published in Automation.com a 42% increase in equipment utilization, and offers MERLIN on its price list.

"We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with Mazak and to demonstrate our combined capabilities to their extensive customer base and distribution channels," said David McPhail, CEO. "MERLIN, as a forward and backward compatible MTConnect-based solution, universally connects all machines to management in real-time, measures plant-wide capacity utilization and shows manufacturers how to make more production, generating IRRs of up to 400%," said McPhail.

"The availability of key data is crucial to managing operational performance. The combination of MTConnect and MERLIN will deliver performance details including dashboards that open up tremendous real-time visibility for both individual machines and the entire shop floor," stresses Marc Lobit, General Manager Sales Support of Mazak Optonics.

About Mazak Optonics

Mazak Optonics Corporation is a major supplier of laser-cutting systems, offering 50 laser models and leading the industry in the implementation of emerging laser technologies. The company's 50,000 sq. ft. North American Headquarters are located in Elgin, Illinois, and feature a 30,000 sq. ft. laser technology center housing up to 18 machines for demonstrations and training. Mazak Optonics is part of Yamazaki Mazak Corporation (Oguchi, Japan), the global leader for the manufacture of machine tools and systems for the precision machining of metal parts, including CNC turning centers, horizontal and vertical machining centers, Multi-Tasking machining centers, turnkey cells and software solutions. The North American Headquarters for Yamazaki Mazak are located in Florence, Kentucky. For more information on Mazak Optonics' products and solutions, visit www.mazakoptonics.com, email sales@mazaklaser.com or call 847-252-4500.

About Memex Automation Inc.

Memex Automation (TSX VENTURE: OEE) is the leader of manufacturing Machine to Machine (M2M) productivity solutions and the measurement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness ("OEE") in real-time. OEE is the measurement of plant-wide capacity utilization. MERLIN (Manufacturing Enterprise Real-time Lean Information Network) generates OEE enterprise-wide, machine by machine. On April 15, 2014, PEM awarded the Company the 2013 Plant Engineering & Maintenance Award for Best Company Under 50 Employees. Frost & Sullivan awarded MERLIN its 2013 Technology Innovation Leadership Award for Machine Monitoring. Microsoft picked MERLIN to be its mid-market ERP machine connectivity solution. Mazak, North America's largest original equipment manufacturer of machine tools, purchased MERLIN to manage its plant in Florence, KY, published in Automation.com a 42% increase in equipment utilization, and now offers it on its price list. Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tools, announced in April 2014 that Memex Automation became a Partner in THINC. For more information, please visit: www.memex.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact:

Mazak Optonics:
Marc Lobit
General Manager Sales Support
Phone: 847-252-4522
Email:

Memex Automation Inc.:
Thomas Smeenk
VP Business Development
Phone: 905-536-3138
Email: