The new Rockwell Automation Error Proofing and Andon solutions build on the company’s FactoryTalk integrated production and performance software suite, and Logix Control Platform to help automotive manufacturers seamlessly share manufacturing data with business level systems.
By capturing real-time plant-floor data such as installed part or downtime information, the Error Proofing and Andon solutions can help manufacturers maintain product quality and provide the flexibility to make equipment changes as necessary to help reduce engineering costs, enhance operational efficiency and manage total cost of ownership.
The Error Proofing solution is built using preconfigured modular templates within FactoryTalk View, FactoryTalk ProductionCentre and FactoryTalk Integrator to provide manufacturers with an automated process that interfaces directly with the assembly line.
The templates provide work instruction displays, part verification and automatic tool control to guide operators through each step in the production process. This helps improve product quality and ensures that operations are completed in the correct order using the appropriate parameters, and within the allocated time.
Within an operation, Error Proofing immediately verifies that the proper parts and tools are used and procedures and specifications are followed, otherwise work is stopped until corrections are made. All of this minimizes mistakes and drives defects out of processes to ensure that the product has been correctly built. As a result, manufacturers can operate at a consistent level of quality and profitability while meeting each customer’s unique requirements.
The Andon offering, meanwhile, leverages FactoryTalk Metrics, FactoryTalk ProductionCentre and FactoryTalk Integrator with the information-enabled Logix Control Platform to help manufacturers capture real-time event information, identify production problems and more efficiently adjust operations to minimize errors and reduce downtime.
It uses line side displays, stack lights and pull chords, and a variety of other electronic devices to display the real-time work status and production problems for operators and manufacturing personnel. Immediate access to this information helps manufacturers reduce the occurrence of costly mistakes.
The key factor driving the automotive industry today is the need for better information flow between the plant floor, enterprise systems and the external supply chain, said Jim Neawedde, segment business lead at Rockwell Automation. Not only do the Error Proofing and Andon solutions allow manufacturers to quickly identify and respond to challenges in their production environment, they also support their lean manufacturing initiatives.
