Optimization of Weighting and Labeling Process

Abstract:

Target of the authors’ job was to optimize weighting and labeling process in mechanical machining companies. Main direction was to increase efficiency and decrease the amount of failures in the process. Efficiency in such field of industry is about 10 times lower than the statistical EU number so it is vital to increase it. Initial situation analysis indicated a low level of automation, computer systems are not connected to a global system, and the process is not fully defined. This was found to be the main reasons for low efficiency. High levels of failures are mainly caused by human mistakes. To optimize the process it was decided to design an integrated computer system. In the frame of the project an IT system called Kilo was designed, which communicates via ODCB with SQL server. The duration of the project was 6 months. Weighting, counting and labeling processes were automated by using a global PPS system data and a specially designed integrated electronic weighting system. During final steps of the project the performance of a new designed system was analyzed. The results showed the following data: parts weighting and counting process time was decreased 50 percent, and labeling process time was decreased by 78 percent. Separate monitoring of failures performed all 6 months showed impressive decrease of failures 90 percent and in the last month it was not registered at all.