SPEED

Sometimes speed comes in the form of reducing processes and time spent in prep that we’ve always accepted as the norm. This is the case for tool location and set-up, and that was a driver for how we conceived of and created our robust retrofit solution that cuts down on time and improves accuracy exponentially. Traditional methods of tool identification and selection were largely dependent on (human) error-prone activities like writing numbers down, routing slips or printed labels. Old school, plus it left a lot of missing information on tools, as most of the data is provided in supplier catalogues and operators do not have central access to comprehensive online databases. The result of these human errors can be costly, and include:

• Wasting operator time
• Too much machine idle time/poor utilization
• Inability to locate the correct tool
• Using the wrong tool – increasing costs and putting components at risk
• Ordering and/or too many tools in inventory