Company

Lorax

Lorax: Real-Time Monitoring for Legacy Manufacturing Equipment

Lorax is a hardware-software solution designed to address a critical challenge in manufacturing: the inability to monitor legacy machine status at scale. The product transforms aging equipment into connected assets, delivering real-time visibility without requiring expensive upgrades or invasive installations. Lorax consists of a compact edge device (approximately the size of a deck of cards) with a separate clip-on power monitor that captures operational signals through non-invasive methods.

The key components of the Lorax system include:

  1. Easy Installation: Simple self-installation with non-invasive sensors that clip onto existing equipment without disrupting operations.

  2. Versatile Compatibility: Works with virtually any machine, from decades-old equipment to newer assets, capturing power consumption, vibration patterns, and optional data from machine ports.

  3. User-Friendly Dashboard: Web-based monitoring provides real-time insights and historical analysis, allowing manufacturers to track performance metrics and receive alerts when machines need attention.

  4. Affordable Pricing: Straightforward pricing model with a one-time hardware fee plus a subscription for ongoing access to the dashboard and analytics.

  5. Field-Tested Technology: Successfully validated on equipment from different eras, including 1980s Matsuura CNC, 1990s Haas CNC, and 2000s Tormach CNC machines.

Lorax provides several key benefits to manufacturers:

  1. Eliminate Manual Checks: Replace physical walkthroughs with digital monitoring that shows machine status in real-time from anywhere.

  2. Improve Operational Efficiency: Track and optimize performance metrics automatically without expensive retrofits or replacements.

  3. Enhance Decision Making: Access historical data and performance trends to identify opportunities for improvement.

  4. Minimize Disruption: Deploy quickly with no specialized knowledge required and no interruption to existing production.

  5. Future-Proof Operations: Create a foundation for additional capabilities like predictive maintenance and process optimization.

  6. Maximize ROI: Extract more value from existing capital equipment investments without major expenditures.

Lorax was developed in collaboration with actual manufacturers to ensure it addresses real-world challenges faced in factory environments. This practical approach delivers immediate value by turning previously disconnected legacy machines into valuable data sources that can drive operational improvements across the entire manufacturing process.