Product category:
Component marking, printing and labelling systems (non-laser)
News Release from: Barcoding.co.uk | Subject: Barcode-based picking system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 06 September 2007
Barcode parts picking speeds up assembly
A barcode-based automotive parts picking system ensures accuracy, enables the assembly process to operate at high speed, and prevents downtime.
Leading manufacturer of automotive parts for Nissan, Calsonic Kansei, has implemented a turn-key barcode-based picking system Designed and installed by auto ID specialist Barcoding.co.uk, the system ensures accuracy, enables the assembly process to operate at high speed, and saves operational costs by preventing downtime
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 30 Apr 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Calsonic Kansei Washington (CKWA) is located in Washington, NE England.
It makes fully assembled automotive cockpit modules for Nissan passenger vehicles, matching individual items exactly to each car's build details.
To ensure parts are picked accurately, each item is barcoded and the label is scanned using handheld barcode readers supplied by Barcoding.co.uk.
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Depending on the job, the operators use tethered or wireless (Bluetooth) barcode readers and to read the 2D code either a Datalogic or Hand Held Products device is used.
Barcoding.co.uk has also supplied CKWA with Zebra Technologies thermal-transfer barcode printers and printer consumables for printing barcoded labels.
According to Kevin McKimm, production engineer, CKWA, the assembly has to be a highly efficient process, requiring speed and 100% accuracy.
he said that there are no margins for error as the right parts must be on the right car within production lead times of less than 1h.
Here, auto ID plays an important part in supporting the highly sequenced operation, allowing the fast and accurate matching of parts to individual build sheets.
For this application, auto ID specialist Barcoding.co.uk provided expertise, technology and service to ensure a smooth operation throughout.
"Our process is fast moving and we cannot afford hold-ups of any sort; any assembly line stoppage is counted in tens of thousands of pounds per minute.
Barcoding.co.uk are fully aware of this and are prepared to go the extra mile; for example, we even had the company's MD deliver label stock to us in person to prevent a potential line stop," said McKimm.
Andy Smith, programmer, CPM Engineering Manager, CKEU said that auto ID underpins the smooth running of our process.
"By using barcodes we are able to avoid errors on many visually similar parts as each individual item shown on the build screen can be readily identified".
Barcoding.co.uk also supplied CKWA with Zebra Technologies thermal-transfer barcode printers for printing barcoded labels, which are attached to each specific item ensuring secure and accurate identification during the assembly process.
To ensure the printers run trouble-free and on-demand, Barcoding.co.uk supplies regular stocks of printer media to CKWA.
McKimm offered high praise of Barcoding.co.uk: "The team at Barcoding.co.uk are friendly people with whom we are on first name terms.
They are extremely responsive and they understand what we do and the complex nature of our business.".
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