{"id":8374,"date":"2017-07-18T07:00:42","date_gmt":"2017-07-18T15:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.palada.net\/index.php\/2017\/07\/18\/news-2148\/"},"modified":"2017-07-18T07:00:42","modified_gmt":"2017-07-18T15:00:42","slug":"news-2148","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.palada.net\/index.php\/2017\/07\/18\/news-2148\/","title":{"rendered":"Adding smart technologies to material working machines in the new digital economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Credit to Author: Ashish Patwardhan| Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2017 13:37:36 +0000<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"MaterialFrom heavy metalworking machinery to precision glass cutting systems, material working systems are part of the new digital OEM enterprise. To increase customer satisfaction, you must supply safe, efficient and reliable material-working machines at a reduced cost and with shorter lead times. When you have the right control solutions, you can make the most of \u201csmart manufacturing\u201d and distinguish yourself from the competition.<\/p>\n

\"Smart <\/p>\n

Repeated downtime leads to lost productivity, late deliveries and dissatisfied customers. Downtime costs plants an average of $500 per hour, per stand-alone machine.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Three big benefits of safer, more efficient machines<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benefit #1: Stamp out downtime<\/em><\/p>\n

Smart manufacturing technologies such as predictive analytics software can reduce unexpected failures by identifying subtle deviations in operating behavior that are often the early warning signs of equipment problems. Such software can be integrated with existing sensors<\/a> and systems for increased data access and ease of implementation. Using a smart manufacturing program, Toyota Motor North America slashed 40,000 minutes in downtime at one plant for a total cost savings of $6 million.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Benefit #2: Supercharge productivity<\/em><\/p>\n

Mobility tools \u2013 also called the \u201caugmented operator\u201d \u2013 give operators more information for greater productivity. Sensors affixed to equipment or materials can feed critical information on energy usage, machine speed, maintenance or inventory to employees\u2019 mobile devices. Stanley Black & Decker\u2019s DeWalt Power Tools plant in Reynosa, Mexico, for example, uses RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags to give employees real-time location and line status to help spot problems faster.3 <\/sup>The system helped the plant improve line efficiency by 96%, increase throughput by 10% and reduce material inventory carrying costs by 10%.<\/p>\n

Benefit #3: Boost quality<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Smart technologies can help manufacturers quickly identify and troubleshoot product quality issues during production and in the field. Manufacturers can also embed smart technologies, such as sensors, into products to for real-time, automated information about warranty claims or product defects. Smart technologies also can help with post-sales service. Xerox logs data from its devices located at customer sites, with set parameters which signal maintenance needs or possible equipment failure. The result is fewer on-site trips and more efficient maintenance.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Wireless \u2013 safer, more efficient and more ergonomic<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to machine safety<\/a>, wireless technology is beginning to emerge as a core machine technology. The more information that operators can access, the better positioned they are to avoid and manage unexpected machine stops.<\/p>\n