International electronic product manufacturing is a complex operation which requires perfect timing and execution to operate successfully.
It involves several stages, starting from raw components to final product assembly.
Engineering teams and assemblers require large fleets of equipment and tools to complete the products build.
The Challenge: Perfect Timing and Execution
Locating small equipment and misplaced tools can be difficult in large busy buildings, leading to downtime and reduced efficiency.
Equipment also needs to be located in order to be constantly maintained.
Misplaced equipment can lead to delays in production, increased costs, and output.
Additionally, equipment which has missed deadline for maintenance or repair may lead to shutting down production areas, causing costly downtime.
Existing System
One of the biggest challenges in tracking and locating equipment in a large manufacturing space is the sheer size of the facility and the number of assets and equipment that need to be tracked.
Manual tracking methods such as 2D labels like QR or barcode scanning, spreadsheets for planning, whiteboards for collaborating, and paper-based tracking can be time-consuming, error-prone, and inefficient.
RTLS Solution
Given the volume of assets we proposed a comprehensive asset and inventory management system to assist in automating the service management and tracking of equipment whilst in service bays and on the floor.
Combined with a high granularity sitemap used to find and display assets across large spaces in intricate detail throughout the site, complimenting the inventory management system and enabling rapid location and recovery of misplaced assets.
The inventory management system implemented enables accurate tracking of inventory levels and reducing the costs of excess inventory, and improving asset utilization.
Take away:
The system implemented creates a significant change in large-scale electronic product manufacturing by providing accurate, real-time tracking and analysis of assets and inventory.
This allows for more efficient use of resources, optimizing production and reducing downtime.
A unknown benefit which the system uncovered was that although locating the tools and equipment was seen to be the primary point of failure and cause for capped throughput, much of the equipment was actually awaiting attention in the service bays.
An action plan was hatched to increase professional services to maintain equipment at a greater pace and order spare parts in more accurate quantities to keep the fleet in operation.
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