Computer Firm Cuts Estimate of Results

General Automation Inc., the Anaheim computer maker in the middle of a turn-around effort, said Wednesday that it expects to report lower-than-anticipated revenues and earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 1987 because of manufacturing delays for its newest product line and unforeseen costs associated with a recent acquisition.

Although the company did not disclose its projected results for the quarter, which ended Dec. 31, analysts said that they expect revenues to total about $10 million, approximately $1 million less than originally forecast.

However, analysts who met with company officials behind closed doors Wednesday afternoon said that they remain encouraged by the company’s restructuring efforts. Over the last several years, General Automation has dropped most of its old electronic products to focus exclusively on a new line of business computers, called the Zebra system.

Orders for the systems, which were unveiled nearly three years ago, have remained strong. However, the Zebra’s popularity proved a mixed blessing last fall. The company was unable, it said, to get the newest system into high-volume production until late November and shipments of some products were delayed.

General Automation Chairman Leonard N. Mackenzie said that the company is “having no difficulty in shipping products during the third quarter.”