VisualSPC ™

Complete Shop Floor Quality Data Collection & Analysis Solution

Product quality can literally make or break your organi- to collect real-time information from virtually any source,
zation. Deliver quality and consistency and you’ll keep the VisualSPC Product Suite delivers a diverse array of
regulatory organizations at bay, attract a loyal clientele powerful analysis and visualization tools – all designed to
and beat the competition time and time again. Fail to provide you with a clear and instantaneous understanding
achieve quality within your manufacturing processes, of what is happening with any given industrial process.
however, and you’ll face the financial impact of product
The VisualSPC Product Suite serves all of your business’
recalls, the credibility setback of a damaged reputation
quality management efforts and serves as the primary
or perhaps even fines and other punitive steps taken
resource for identifying areas of improvement and elimi-
by governmental agencies. In short, get it right or get
nating quality issues within your production environment.
ready to pay the consequences.
As a result, you can drive greater consistency within your
The VisualSPC™ Product Suite is your complete statistical manufacturing operations and enhance the productivity
process control solution for the collection, monitoring and profitability of your company.
and analysis of plant floor quality data. Enabling you
Intelligent Production Management (IPM)
Optimizing Operational Performance
Intelligent Production Management (IPM) is a growing category of technologies designed to manage – and ultimately improve – every
aspect of the manufacturing production process. It includes a comprehensive group of solutions designed to help users at all levels of the
organization perform critical production functions more efficiently and effectively.
IPM hardware and software applications span a broad spectrum of functionality to manage key areas of the production lifecycle – from
controlling plant floor processes to analyzing and sharing performance data to managing equipment assets throughout the organization.
Ultimately, IPM represents an opportunity for companies to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve quality by optimizing the
performance of their production processes.
IPM solutions can be categorized into four core functional areas, which can be implemented separately or as part of a fully integrated
plant-wide solution:

Asset Management
Asset Management software solutions enable manufactur-
ers to realize tremendous gains in equipment effectiveness
through proactive and targeted equipment management.
Asset Management solutions allow Production and
Maintenance Managers to identify and track physical
assets in order to perform scheduling and maintenance
tasks with greater efficiency. Equipment usage, maintenance
and repair operations, asset costs and more can be
traced, viewed and controlled using these applications.

Plant Intelligence
Plant Intelligence software applications are an integrated
set of solutions that provide a new level of insight into
operational performance, allowing decision makers to
make business sense out of plant data in real time. These
high-impact applications give Production Managers the
information and analysis they need to make important
real-time decisions that dramatically improve their per-
formance. They are critical tools for companies seeking
to gain a competitive edge through improved operations,
collaborative production and corporate accountability.

Process Execution & Supervisory Control

These are the software applications which allow
Operators and Process Engineers to better manage their
production processes. Serving as a conduit for both
communicating with the hardware and extracting real-time
data from the industrial processes they control, Process
Execution & Supervisory Control solutions help manufac-
turers visualize plant floor operations, perform supervisory
automation and deliver the production data that feeds
reliable, up to date information to the higher-level analytic
applications. As a result, manufacturers can increase
production, maximize quality and efficiency and improve
regulatory compliance through user accountability.

Control Hardware
From industrial-hardened PCs and CNC systems to PLCs
and robotics, these are the durable assets that are used
to physically manufacture products, maintain the flow
of materials and protect the safety and quality of what
is being produced.

Intelligent Production Management integrates all key areas of the production management
lifecycle, giving you greater connectivity, analysis and control over your operation. VisualSPC is
part of GE Fanuc’s Plant Intelligence family of IPM solutions.
VisualSPC™ Product Suite Features and Benefits
Improved product quality and consistency Make real-time product quality decisions through Enhance application agility by leveraging
• VisualSPC enables you to meet or exceed your vendor web-based analysis industry standards
management policies through complete analysis • infoAgent™ 2.0 Quality Module provides internet- • VisualSPC was developed using C++, Visual Basic,
and reporting capabilities based quality and statistical information to all and Microsoft’s Data Access Objects (DAO) for fast
• By improving quality and consistency, you increase decision-makers throughout the organization, access to our database. DAO, in turn, uses ODBC
your ability to get it right the first time; enabling regardless of their location to store your SPC data in other databases such as
you to improve scheduling accuracy and meet the • Alerts and alarms can be conveyed to necessary SQL Server and Oracle
just in time delivery needs of your customers personnel via multiple methods – including email • VisualSPC takes advantage of OLE technology, so you
• Enhanced product quality builds brand equity and – ensuring timely resolution of quality issues can easily embed graphics and text information into
reinforces the overall value and standing of your your data collection program. OLE linking enables
Open device connectivity maximizes quality
business to your customers applications to access master documents every time
improvement efforts
they are run, so changes are automatically reflected
Decrease production costs through reduction • VisualSPC Product Suite includes a full line of data
at run time, guaranteeing that operators always use
of waste and rework collection hardware – including GagePort™ interface
the most current version
• VisualSPC enables you to conduct real-time moni- modules and Zipper™ handheld data collectors,
• Using OLE Automation, Visual Basic developers can
toring of processes to catch quality problems early enabling you to collect all your quality data from
create custom setup Wizards and real-time analysis
in the process, allowing you to take corrective every caliper, scale or other measurement device
procedures without compromising the integrity of
action sooner used in your facilities
the main program
• Using a suite of statistical process control techniques, • GagePort supports standards such as OPC and
you can stop poorly manufactured products before RS232 to ensure data collection from hundreds
they leave your facility, dramatically reducing the of other hardware sources
impact of repairs, warranty issues and damage to • VisualSPC supports keyboard entry and file import
your company’s reputation options – such as data collection directly from
• Root-cause analysis helps you to not only catch CMMs and other smart devices – further enhancing
faulty products before they leave the facility, but also “soft input” flexibility
to identify what caused the problem in the first place
Seamless integration with business systems
improves product quality
• Full ODBC compliance means you can connect to
a diverse array of database technologies – including
SQL and Oracle – to enhance enterprise-wide
VisualSPC Personalized Data Collection
information exchange
• Integration with business systems enables person-
nel to make more effective, fact-based decisions,
yielding better quality improvement and capital
expenditure investments
Reduce the cost of complying with stringent
regulatory demands, including 21 CFR Part 11
• VisualSPC Secure Edition provides robust electronic
signature and electronic record capabilities designed
specifically to be used within validated systems
• Full audit trail capabilities capture “who did what,
where and when” during the manufacturing process
VisualSPC Product Suite – Complete Shop Floor Quality Data Collection & Analysis Solution
As part of GE Fanuc’s Plant Intelligence Solution, the VisualSPC Product Suite VisualSPC – a Windows-based software application for the capture, monitoring,
plays a critical role in helping you to improve product quality and is an invaluable analysis and reporting of quality data. VisualSPC is available in both a Quality
solution for reducing waste, streamlining operations and, ultimately, making your Edition and a Secure Edition and serves as the hub of the VisualSPC Product Suite.
business more productive and more profitable.
infoAgent 2.0 Quality – the award-wining web-based software application that
The VisualSPC Product Suite is a comprehensive shop floor quality solution that enables you to extend your VisualSPC quality data analysis – in real-time –
delivers a diverse array of benefits for companies of all sizes, serving all indus- throughout your organization.
tries, in both process and discrete environments. It includes all the software and
GagePort Family of Interfacing Modules – a simple yet powerful universal gage
hardware components required to enhance the quality and consistency of your
interface device for collecting data from virtually any type of sensor, micrometer,
products. The Suite includes:
caliper or other device.
DuraTouch™ Industrial PC – a self-contained and mountable PC in an industrial-
hardened form factor that enables you to locate your VisualSPC solution anywhere
you need it.

VisualSPC – Quality Edition

VisualSPC Quality Edition is available in three basic module configurations:

VisualSPC ShopFloor
VisualSPC ShopFloor enables users to input and capture data from the plant floor in a
simple, familiar, easy-to-use notebook-style format. Data entered via this module can
be tagged and associated with multiple forms of process information – such as lot
number, machine or operator – providing a powerful and flexible resource for ascribing
rich contextual information for any piece of data. Furthermore, multiple “live column”
display options reflect data analysis conditions in real-time, triggering alarms and pro-
viding clear status information for any data reading.

VisualSPC Monitor
VisualSPC Monitor is an online reporting tool that monitors all active processes and
provides an enterprise wide, automatically-updated summary picture of everything
that’s happening on the production floor. You can customize your view by selecting
the products you wish to use, how you want the information grouped, even the
colors you would like assigned in the statistical reporting, enabling you to easily
identify those areas that are performing smoothly and those which require attention.

Admin Bundle Data Collection

The Admin Bundle comes complete with five distinct modules:
VisualSPC Analyst
Featuring a wide selection of charts, histograms and other visualization tools,
VisualSPC Analyst makes ascertaining the results of a statistical analysis session
quick and easy. Histograms show the frequency distribution relative to the upper
and lower tolerance and sigma (±3, ±6 or both) limits, while control charts help you
monitor your process using Xbar-R and Xbar-S statistics. Other charts include
Individual X and Moving R, Pareto, p, np, c and u-Charts. The Query feature allows
you to precisely select the data you want to analyze. You can select data by
time/date range (relative dates such as last 30 days, for example) or select particular
characteristics (the five most critical characteristics in an area, for example). You
can also save queries and run repetitive reports, or use templates you’ve created
in VisualSPC Designer for data analysis.
One of the most powerful features of VisualSPC Analyst is “Group By,” which allows
you to look at data grouped by a process category across a number of data fields.
VisualSPC Analyst makes data analysis simpler by using the same user interface
and concepts as VisualSPC ShopFloor, so no extra training is necessary. With the
built-in templates, you can control the design of the report to give you the customized
reporting you need. This open approach allows you to design a different template for
each management group so Production Managers, for example, can access different
information than Quality Control Managers. The data collection screen allows you to integrate user instructions and process data.
VisualSPC Designer VisualSPC Designer
Using the built-in power of OLE technology and tabbed, notebook-style pages, you
can make your own unique views instantly accessible to each operator. These views
could include photos of the setup, inspection method sheets, part drawings, flow
diagrams, routing sheets, acceptable workmanship standards or troubleshooting
guides. Integrate word processing documents, scanned images, CAD drawings, and
input from digital cameras or video clips into your data collection setup. And best of
all, it’s as simple as cut-and-paste.
VisualSPC Importer
In addition to the data you can collect directly by VisualSPC, flat ASCII files generated
by CMMs and other measuring systems can also be imported directly into our standard
VisualSPC database. VisualSPC Importer paired with VisualSPC Analyst and VisualSPC
Reports gives you an integrated and complete solution to analyzing data from multiple
sources in multiple formats.
VisualSPC Reports
VisualSPC Reports provides a full set of the standard reports you need for weekly
tracking of production performance. Process Events by Category, Graphical Ppk,
Percent in Spec by part and characteristic, and Process Events by part and charac-
teristic, are just a few of these standard reports. Of course, you also have the flexi-
bility to develop your own reports or leverage the resources of any other third-party
organization to develop custom reports on your behalf.
VisualSPC provides complete control over the information presentation.
VisualSPC Wizard
Utilizing a simple, step-by-step tool, system managers can now enter a few pertinent
facts about a particular part or line and the VisualSPC Wizard will automatically
handle setup and configuration within the application. As a result, new setups can be
created as needed or previously used templates can be quickly and easily accessed
and implemented.

VisualSPC – Secure Edition

Designed for users who operate under the guidance of regulatory organizations
(specifically the Food and Drug Administration), or for users who simply wish to gain
a better understanding of who is accessing their systems and what they’re doing
while they’re at the controls, VisualSPC Secure Edition brings all the benefits of
VisualSPC Quality Edition plus delivers a host of “Designed for 21 CFR Part 11”
functionality. These features, when implemented according to cGMP practices, deliver
a degree of security, accountability and accessibility that is simply unmatched in the
Audit Trail Prompt
industry today – helping you to move swiftly and confidently toward validation and
compliance. “Designed for 21 CFR Part 11” functionality includes:
Audit Trail
An audit trail establishes an unalterable record of “who did what, where and when”
within your industrial process. With VisualSPC Secure Edition, you’ll have precise
information on the activities of each user who logs-in to the system, capturing every
action in as great or as little detail as you deem necessary according to the needs of
your industry and your company’s standard operating procedures.
Secure log-in and eSignature capture
Meeting the FDA’s requirements for user identification, VisualSPC Secure Edition’s
secure log-in and electronic signature capture capabilities make it easy for you
to define which users should have access to what systems and with what levels of
authority. You can also define when and how often the prompts for username and
password should appear and when the inputs should be recorded.
Reporting tools
Part of meeting the FDA’s requirements is having the ability to produce activity and
access reports at their request. VisualSPC’s reporting tools provide all of the
resources you need to deliver precisely what is requested in a timely, efficient and
complete manner using one of the included reports, or create one of your own.

An audit trail prompt appears when changing specs on the shop floor.
Additional VisualSPC Modules Measurement Systems Analysis
In addition to the multiple configurations detailed previously, GE Fanuc also delivers
multiple modules for enhancing the functionality of the application and creating
a truly tailored solution. Other modules include:
VisualSPC Attributes
With this module, VisualSPC allows you to quickly and easily track multiple cate-
gories of defects, mixing variable and attribute data within the same visualization.
You can define multiple levels of categories, assign different levels of importance to
different types of defects (reflecting the importance of the defect involved – surface
scratches versus structural issues, for example) and display the results as Pareto
or control charts for easy reference.
VisualSPC Measurement System Analysis
This VisualSPC option lets you evaluate variations in your measuring system before
or during data collection. It is AIAG-compliant and satisfies ISO-9000 requirements.
Available studies include simple Repeatability; Range and Average, which analyzes
both Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R); and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
Setup is easy via the built-in Wizard and data collection is fast and error-free with
direct input of readings from electronic gages, randomization of parts, and automatic
sequencing. The structured studies prevent omissions by prompting for trials, opera-
tors, parts, and characteristics. All statistics are calculated automatically, saving
you hours of manual calculation time. Gage R&R studies are integrated with data collection.

infoAgent 2.0 – Quality Module

infoAgent is breakthrough plant-wide analysis and visualization application that
enables companies to gain business insight from all their plant data – in real-time.
Providing a single system for integrating all your product-based and process-based
production data with a robust set of analytic and visualization components,
infoAgent presents an overall view of Key Performance Indicators and other metrics
necessary to run processes in a more efficient manner. All of this is accomplished
via the web, making your critical plant information accessible from anywhere
– around the building or around the world.
The infoAgent 2.0 Quality Module is an optional module within the infoAgent
product that provides real-time, web-based quality analysis and reporting. Through
a custom, data-aware connector to VisualSPC, infoAgent Quality provides the
infoAgent 2.0 Quality Module
VisualSPC user with an easy-to-use way of analyzing shop floor quality data over
the web. With a complete set of quality charts and components including Xbar,
Range, Sigma, Histogram, Moving Xbar, X-Individual, Pareto, p, np, c, u and corre-
lation charts, infoAgent Quality can help identify problems before they occur. And
you can seamlessly integrate your VisualSPC quality data with other plant and IT
applications, making it possible to finally make sense of all your plant information
in one integrated system.
Through the infoAgent 2.0 Quality Module, you can clearly understand and control
product and process variation. The simple yet powerful quality analysis module,
combined with the flexibility and versatility of the module’s web-based delivery,
make it an ideal solution for the analysis, proliferation and visualization of a
diverse array of SPC data.

VisualSPC users can achieve real-time web-based quality analysis and reporting
with the infoAgent 2.0 Quality Module.
GagePort
Central to your quality efforts is having the ability to collect and retain information
from all your measurement devices. That’s why GE Fanuc has developed the
GagePort, a simple yet powerful universal gage interface device that allows you
to automatically collect data from virtually any type of digital, RS232 or analog
measurement device and have that data imported directly into VisualSPC.
Furthermore, GagePort can also be integrated into your existing control system
using OPC, thereby providing a cost-effective solution for connecting low-voltage
or digital devices to your control applications.
The GagePort has been used successfully with several thousand different sensors,
providing fast and reliable data transfer for error-free, real-time quality control.
Micrometers, calipers and indicators of all kinds interface with plug-and-play GagePort Protocol Converter
simplicity. The Probe GagePort model enables you to achieve instantaneous links
to LVDT and half-bridge probes, while the Combo GagePort accommodates the full
range of digital, RS232, analog, torque, strain and gap and flushness gages.
Using our FlashCable™ technology, the GagePort automatically identifies the
gage type and configures the system so readings can be taken immediately…
without the need to reconfigure every time a gage is changed. Add the GagePort
Multiplexer and you can also interface as many as 32 gages on a single RS232
line. Leveraging the GagePort Multiplexer’s unique protocol, it can separate and
label individual characteristics, allowing simultaneous readings from multiple gages.
In addition to collecting raw data in real-time, the GagePort can automatically
gather basic statistical “roll-up” information from any device – such as minimum,
maximum and Total Indicator Runout (TIR). An operator can take single readings
using either a foot switch or the “send data” button on the gage. A built-in
address and sequential counter label the readings for easy identification.
The Zipper is a portable data collection device that lets you collect, display and analyze
data in real time, on the spot. It is capable of withstanding a three-foot (one-meter)
drop onto concrete and has an IP54 rating. GagePort technology integrated into the
Zipper, enables both analog and digital gages to be connected to the Zipper for
effortless, direct gage entry, thereby eliminating the errors of manual data input. Digital GagePort and FlashCables can be connected to common hand tools.

DuraTouch Industrial PCs

The DuraTouch industrial PC is designed to deliver all the functionality of your typical Because DuraTouch can be mounted on any flat surface, it can literally go anywhere
desktop personal computer in an industrial-hardened form factor. DuraTouch PCs are you need to have access to a PC. Further enhancing the versatility of this powerful
virtually impervious to airborne contaminants, harsh temperatures and other conditions computing resource, DuraTouch can accept direct input via the touch screen or the
that would cause ordinary computers to fail. DuraTouch PCs are also fully self-con- optional full QWERTY keyboard. You can connect to any Ethernet LAN via the built-in
tained and mountable, delivering the ability to place your VisualSPC solution precisely Ethernet connection. There are also four serial ports, two USB ports, a parallel port,
where you need it most – as close as possible to the process you’re measuring. an external VGA connector and optional internal floppy and CD-ROM drives. And,
of course, the DuraTouch is fully compatible with the GagePort universal gage
The DuraTouch PC is rugged and durable, meeting IP-65 (front) and IP-54 (overall)
interface drive.
standards, and enabling it to withstand high temperatures, dust, oil, steam, vibra-
tion, shock and liquid spray. It is also resistant to static loading and overvoltages,
as well delivering full splash protection on all plug-in connections. As a result, the
DuraTouch can withstand virtually any hazard that comes its way.

The VisualSPC Product Suite – A powerful solution for shop floor quality data collection and analysis
The quality of your products speaks volumes about the quality of your company. For more information on the VisualSPC Product Suite or any of GE Fanuc’s IPM
Consistently deliver a product that meets or exceeds the expectations of your solutions, contact your local sales representative or visit us online at
customers and you’ll be viewed as an industry leader with a reputation for excel- www.gefanucautomation.com.
lence. VisualSPC from GE Fanuc – and the associated hardware solutions designed
to work flawlessly with this application – will help you to achieve this esteemed
position and, more importantly, will help you stay there. VisualSPC helps to keep
your plant efficient, your products flawless and your business profitable… and we
can get your facility started with a full solution today.
VisualSPC Secure Edition System Requirements VisualSPC
• Improved product quality • Make real-time product quality
The recommended system configuration to use VisualSPC Secure Edition
and consistency decisions through web-based analysis
is Microsoft Windows® 2000 Professional on a computer with a 333 MHz
processor and 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM. Below are the minimum • Decrease production costs through • Open device connectivity maximizes
requirements your computer needs to run VisualSPC Secure Edition. reduction of waste and rework quality improvement efforts
Minimum Requirements • Seamless integration with business • Enhance application agility by
Computer/Processor systems improves product quality leveraging industry standards
Computer with a 266-megahertz (MHz) or higher processor
• Reduce the cost of complying with
Memory
stringent regulatory demands,
RAM requirements depend on the operating system used:
including 21 CFR Part 11
• Windows 95 OSR2 – 32 MB of RAM plus an additional 8 MB of
RAM for each VisualSPC SE program (such as VisualSPC Importer)
running simultaneously
• Windows 98, or Windows 98 Second Edition – 32 MB of RAM
The GE Fanuc Family of Software Solutions Includes:
plus an additional 8 MB of RAM for each VisualSPC SE program Asset Management Plant Intelligence
(such as VisualSPC Importer) running simultaneously
• Windows Me, or Microsoft Windows NT® 4.0 – 32 MB of RAM
Enterprise Asset Management Advantage
Remote Monitoring & Diagnostics Digital Cockpit
i
plus an additional 8 MB of RAM for each VisualSPC SE program (such
as VisualSPC Importer) running simultaneously DownTıme
Process Execution & Supervisory Control
i
™

• Windows 2000 Professional – 64 MB of RAM plus an additional Historian

i
®

8 MB of RAM for each VisualSPC SE program (such as VisualSPC

Bundled O/I nfoAgent ™

Importer) running simultaneously CIMPLICITY HMI ®

Proficy for Manufacturing ®

DataViews ®
Tracker
Hard Disk FIX
Hard disk space requirements will vary depending on configuration; cus-
®
VisualSPC ™

I/O Drivers
tom installation choices may require more or less. Listed below are the
iBatch Control Hardware
minimum hard disk requirements:
i
®

ClientTS CNC & Machine Tools

• VisualSPC SE ShopFloor – 100 MB of available hard disk space
i
™

• VisualSPC SE Administration Bundle – 200 MB of available FIX Communications

i
®

hard disk space WorkInstruction ™ & Networking

• VisualSPC SE Database Server – 2 GB of available hard disk space Manager Embedded Computers
OpenProcess Industrial Computers
Operating System ™

Client Support* – Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows 98

Motion Control
Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), Windows PLC, Controllers & I/O
NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5 (SP5) or later or Windows 2000.
*Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater is required on each client
Network Support – Windows Peer to Peer, Windows NT Server or
Contact Us
Windows 2000 Server.
North American Offices International Offices
Drive Headquarters: Charlottesville, VA Australia
CD-ROM drive (optional) Albany, NY China-Beijing
Edmonton, Canada China-Shanghai
Display
Foxborough, MA France
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors
Germany
Serial Port www.gefanucautomation.com Italy
Minimum of 1 available RS-232 Port Japan
USA: 800-526-3486 Korea
Peripherals
Outside USA: 508-698-3322 United Kingdom
Mouse, or compatible pointing device
VisualSPC Database Server
GE Fanuc Representatives can be found in more than 60 countries
Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 or 2000
throughout the world. To find the representative nearest you, visit
Visit www.microsoft.com/sql for server system requirements.
www.gefanucautomation.com/global

© 2003 GE Fanuc International, Inc. All rights reserved. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other brands or names are property of their respective holders. 06.03 GFA-313A