In today’s competitive market, automotive manufacturers must be able to come up with new processes, automation and information systems in order to create a superior vehicle. Despite the fact that automotive assembly involves a lot of manual work, data must be captured in almost every single manufacturing process. Automotive manufacturers can experience declines in warranty costs and significant improvements in quality with a design that implements the correct combination of manual operations, automation as well as information infrastructure. Simply put, automobile manufacturers can improve quality through better data.
Information systems that can benefit automobile manufacturers include:
- Tracking technology
- Kitting and sequencing systems
- Automated error proofing systems
Automobile manufacturers can benefit greatly from the implementation of tracking technology. Software and controls can be integrated with the existing conveyance system in order to create awareness of vehicle location throughout the entire production process. Implementing a user-friendly interface at each station that generates data about each individual vehicle’s parts and processes, allows operators to easily understand the specific requirements for each specific vehicle.
Kitting and sequencing systems can also be utilized by automobile manufacturers. These systems can ensure that each vehicle’s specific parts and part kits arrive at each station at the correct time. This type of system can significantly reduce the time that it takes for operators to install all of the required vehicle parts in each individual station.
Before automated error proofing existed, inspection operators would simply visually inspect all vehicles and press a button that indicated whether the vehicle passed or failed the inspection. With automated error proofing the operator still visually inspects each vehicle, but with the help of a user-friendly interface. That way valuable error proofing and inspection data can be incorporated into their overall evaluation of the vehicle.
Information systems that monitor machine health, identify bottlenecks, track issues to specific machines and provide complete visibility for analysis allow operators to know the state of any machine at any given time. It also allows operators to understand why the line has stopped, identify any fault code trends in order to identify and solve machine issues and can help them solve any supply chain challenges. By implementing data systems into automated and manual production, automobile manufacturers can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of their production.
Bay Industrial Group offers manufacturers solutions that solve a variety of complex manufacturing challenges. For more information please contact Bay Industrial Group today.