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Alicia Bowers
GE Fanuc Automation
410-242-0300, alicia.bowers@gefanuc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


GE Fanuc Automation Introduces New PACSystems™ RX3i Controller
New PAC Platform Increases Application Flexibility, Boosts Productivity, Eases Migration

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - January 21, 2004 - GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc., an affiliate of GE Infrastructure, has introduced the new PACSystems™ RX3i controller - the latest addition to the innovative PACSystems family. PACSystems features a single control engine and universal programming environment, which provides application portability across multiple hardware platforms to deliver a true convergence of control choices. Featuring the same control engine as the PACSystems RX7i, the new PACSystems RX3i offers a high level of automation functionality in a compact, cost-effective package. 

"GE Fanuc is delivering on its promise for application portability with the launch of the PACSystems RX3i," said Bill Estep, vice president of automation equipment for GE Fanuc Automation. "This same control engine provides high performance on several different platforms, allowing OEMs and end users to choose the exact control system hardware that best suits their needs. Through this innovation, the GE Fanuc PACSystems family addresses major engineering and business issues - such as higher productivity and communications openness. This flexible technology can help users boost the overall performance of their automation systems, reduce engineering costs, and significantly decrease concerns regarding short- and long-term migration and platform longevity."

Craig Resnick, ARC's research director of manufacturing advisory services said, "PACs such as the RX3i and the RX7i address the integration issues confronting OEMs and end users by extending the domain expertise of automation systems, resulting in increased return on assets, reduced lifecycle costs, and a lower total cost of ownership for manufacturers. Machine builders and OEMs want fewer components in their solution and ones that contain multiple-discipline development and functionality. This integrated, common development environment, with one programming and engineering tool for the complete system, can lower project development and implementation costs. Use of PACs will continue to shift the emphasis toward open communication standards and software integration, with less focus on the hardware."

For faster throughput without information bottlenecks, the new PACSystems RX3i features a high-speed, PCI-based backplane and Pentium® 300 mHz CPU. High-capacity power supplies can be deployed in single or multiple configurations to provide adequate power or redundancy in one rack. The PACSystems RX3i also features faster I/O with expanded diagnostics and interrupts as well as hot insertion. The system supports a wide range of I/O and includes discrete, universal analog, high-density analog, high-speed counter, and motion. Extensive communications capabilities include integrated Ethernet and Profibus™ modules as well as support for DeviceNet™ and Genius® networks.

Protecting Users' Installed Investment
Like other members of the PACSystems family, the PACSystems RX3i control system allows the combination of new technology with existing hardware systems, providing a seamless migration path for GE Fanuc customers. Protecting each user's investment in both I/O and applications development and enabling easy upgrades for improved total control system functionality including hot insertion of migrated I/O modules, were at the forefront of the PACSystems family design. This enables all control systems users to leverage as much of their installed automation investment as possible by combining it with this new technology. This core design approach seeks to bring every control user forward to new technology with a time- and cost-saving migration solution. 

Universal Development Environment
The common software platform across all of GE Fanuc controllers, award-winning CIMPLICITY®( Machine Edition)™ software provides the universal engineering development environment for programming, configuration and diagnostics for the entire PACSystems family. With tag-based programming, a library of reusable code and a test edit mode for improved online troubleshooting, CIMPLICITY Machine Edition is a user-friendly environment that can increase design flexibility and improve engineering efficiency and productivity.

About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation, a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Infrastructure and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments. 
For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com or contact: GE Fanuc Information Center, P.O. Box 8106, Charlottesville, VA 22906, Phone: (800) GE FANUC, Fax: 434-978-5205, e-mail: gefanuc@gefanuc.com.

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Genius and CIMPLICITY are registered trademarks and PACSystems and Machine Edition are trademarks of GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

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GE Fanuc's PACSystems RX3i, Page 3