Product category:
Measurement and Quality Software and SPC
News Release from: ASI DataMyte | Subject: Inspect Software solution
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 December 2005
Quality data monitoring raises truck
quality
Integrating inspection and production systems to improve traceability and quality - truck manufacturers are constantly dealing with quality problems and part shortages due to product variation.
Integrating Inspection and Production Systems to Improve Traceability and Quality In the Heavy Truck Market, product variations are the norm because of varying customer tastes Truck manufacturers are constantly dealing with quality problems and part shortages due to product variation
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 24 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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It is a difficult task to track vehicles to determine the correct options and state of completion when part shortages occur.
* The challenge - in a typical heavy truck manufacturing scenario, each vehicle of a particular type will be slightly different.
Each vehicle running down the assembly line has a route sheet that includes the options required for that VIN.
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The variety of options poses a challenge from a manufacturing standpoint because unique parts are required for the different options.
Different vehicle configurations require inspections to determine if that vehicle is properly assembled.
A major international truck manufacturer had a run of the same model of trucks coming down the production line.
Based on customer demand, several trucks required leather interiors while others required different engine sizes.
The production supervisor was just notified by production planning that, despite the best planning effort, gray leather seats had not arrived from the supplier, and that the special 13 litre diesel engine delivery had been delayed and was re-promised for next week.
The challenges the production line faces are: Trucks that require the gray leather seats and the special diesel engines must be moved off the assembly line into a staging area until the proper parts arrive.
Individual paper route sheets could be lost or destroyed, so completed assembly processes ca not be determined.
When the parts arrive, determining which trucks require gray leather seats involves walking from truck to truck to determine which trucks have seats missing.
Inspection reports need to be generated manually to confirm each vehicle's configuration based on the options that were selected.
In-line and in-warranty quality data on trucks are documented by paper and pencil and keyed into separate quality databases for analysis and reporting.
* The Inspect Software solution - the manufacturer implemented the ASI DataMyte Inspect Solution at this truck assembly plant.
Inspect is a total quality visual system to handle attribute data collection for incoming, in-line, and in-warranty inspection.
A manufacturing operation can use one database and have all reports available at a touch of a button from any computer with an internet browser.
These features of Inspect software are now in use to solve this truck manufacturer's problem: Communication services that import XML data into the database.
The factory-floor operator now has the ability to set the status for each part number required in the truck.
External systems can query the Inspect database to determine the exact status of a particular vehicle, including what defects have been encountered, missing operations and repair times.
Operators and quality managers can also send e-mails and cellular phone text messages to the material handling team for immediate action.
The ability to generate electronic checklists.
These lists help to determine if a particular VIN was assembled correctly by providing a series of questions for the inspector.
Inspect software compares these answers to the options for that vehicle and determines if the correct options were installed.
* Benefits - this particular manufacturer went 18 consecutive months without a single incorrect build.
The Inspect solution can be used in many different manufacturing industries, including automotive, medical, aerospace, electronics, defense and others that use either a serialized or batch production method.
Inspect can make a difference in profitability in any manufacturing situation where timely defect resolution can significantly increase productivity.
* About ASI DataMyte - ASI DataMyte is the world leader in providing quality-related data collection, analysis and reporting solutions, as well as quality planning and control tools, to virtually every segment of the manufacturing industry.
Our customers include virtually all of the leading U.S.
and European automotive, aerospace manufacturers as well as food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.
ASI DataMyte products and services are sold and supported by a worldwide network of direct representatives and distributors. Request a free brochure from ASI DataMyte ...
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