1. 28 EM | Apr 2015
TECHNOLOGY | TALK
In today’s fluctuating business environment, manufacturers
are always juggling to maintain profitability. This can be done
by adopting lean manufacturing techniques to eliminate waste
at every stage of the manufacturing process. As such, mobile
solutions for shop floors can be an effective tool to streamline
manufacturing processes. This leads to more effective
utilisation of work force, machines and materials.
Currently, with the help of smart technologies in the
industrial landscape, the use of smartphone and tablets is
encouraging the growth of applications designed for them.
The manufacturing applications designed, are now being used
to implement business strategies, such as lean manufacturing
and supply-chain management. Such applications installed for
manufacturing facilities not only fastens decision making, but
also improves communication and workflow. A few examples
of companies adopting such applications include CAM2
Applying
smart business
solutions
With rapid evolution of
technology, manufacturing
industry witnesses a
technology-savvy business
strategy, which includes
applying mobile solutions for
shop floors, which can be an
effective tool to streamline
manufacturing processes. The
feature highlights the
manufacturing applications that
are used today to implement
lean manufacturing and supply-
chain management.
Measure 10 from Faro; CoolanTool™ from Quaker Chemicals;
Robot Studio Online from ABB and Swivel Optimiser from
Schunk.
Why smart applications?
It goes without saying that mobility is pre-requisite for
manufacturers. It is one such technology that allows people to
access information while “on the go” and at the same time,
ensuring efficient decision making. The mobile applications
deployed on smart phones and tablet enables integration with
various IT systems to provide means of increased visibility,
which in turn leads to speed up effective decision making. It
also helps manufacturers address productivity and visibility.
However, companies using such apps should have proper
IT training to be exposed to programming languages, such as
ImagecourTesy:Shutterstock
Megha Roy
Features Writer
megha.roy@publish-industry.net
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2. 30 EM | Apr 2015
TECHNOLOGY | TALK
SCHUNK Swivel Optimiser
The SCHUNK Swivel Optimiser is the
first app worldwide for adjusting
pneumatic rotary units. It allows fast
and easy calculation of the optimal
pressure and shock absorber pa-
rameters for every individual rotation
process. One can upload the app to a
normal smartphone, mount the smartphone at any position on
the setup, select the corresponding rotary unit in the app and
activate the rotary movement in the system controller. During
the rotary movement, the app compares the actual parameters
with optimal values, calculates the necessary corrections for the
pressure and shock absorber stroke and recommends in detail
the changes that need to made to the valve or the stroke
adjustment. It takes only a few measurement runs to set and
verify the optimal parameters for the rotary unit.
Rittal RiTherm climate control
RiTherm smartphone app
carries out enclosure climate
control calculations on the
move. For project-planning,
the optimum climate control
solution can be done in 5
easy steps: project title
(reference line for e-mail),
parameter, enclosure, selection and recommendation. The app
for Android and iPhones handles the time-consuming process
of calculating climate control requirements for individual
enclosure assemblies. With its fast selection feature, the app
provides a compact variant of the full software version “Therm
6.2”. As such, the result can be sent quickly and easily as an
e-mail. A user-friendly interface guides the operator to the most
suitable, correctly dimensioned climate control component
using the typical smartphone controls.
Objective-C for iOS or Java for Android. Regarding security,
when apps are implemented, personal devices are integrated
with the company’s network, adding another network portal
that may be vulnerable to virtual intruders. As such, employers
need to be concerned about employees losing personal devices
containing company data. The potential for malware infecting
the corporate network through smartphones and tablets is yet
another concern.
Next generation mobility-based solutions
According to a recent survey by L&T Infotech, the key
drivers for mobility on the shop floor are productivity, visibility
and process improvement. For most manufacturers, the initial
drive for implementing mobility on the shop floor comes from
the need to increase productivity of its workforce. Applications
that facilitate significant time-saving techniques for end users
find high rates of adoption in the manufacturing industry.
Typical examples of such applications are the one which
automate paperbound processes, remove errors due to manual
data entry, allow quick access to job-specific instructions and
perform approvals and submissions. The other significant
drive for mobility is propelled by the increasing need of
managers and key decision makers to access mission critical
information on the go. In the complex global supply chains,
the need to monitor production data is of equal importance for
both internal and external stakeholders in the supply chain.
Mobile applications that provide easy access to critical
production data like WIP (Work in Progress) status, scrap and
rework rate, machine performance, inventory levels, etc can
facilitate faster decision making and better co-ordination
among various stakeholders of the manufacturing supply
chain.
When it comes to lean manufacturing, the next generation
of mobility based solutions can be used to optimise existing
manufacturing practices to eliminate waste at every stage of
the production process. Mobility-based solutions can be used
to enhance operational efficiency by better utilisation of man,
machine and materials. So, manufacturing executives are
becoming proactive in protecting against plant downtime with
better maintenance practices.
Bertil Thorvaldsson, Global Product Manager—Software
Products, Robotics Business Area, ABB, believes that with
evolution, technology breakthrough is taking centre stage, and
it’s the same in the manufacturing arena. “Our company has
come up with Robot Studio online that operates on several
robotic simulation and has an action plan that includes backup,
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3. 32 EM | Apr 2015
TECHNOLOGY | TALK
> MORE@CLICK EM01612 | www.efficientmanufacturing.in
update, re-date, re-start and set time. It has a remote support
and comes in tab and holding device,” he said.
Speaking on the risk & safety measures in manufacturing
facilities, connecting robots to clouds, connecting all robots
internally and wireless devices connected to robots are some
suggested measures.
Smart App in manufacturing
Success in the manufacturing sector depends on optimising
workflow. Market conditions change as companies develop
new lean production methods, invest in R&D, grow more
globally dispersed supply chains and refine product lifecycle
management processes. Smart business solutions can help by
changing the way one shares and works with digital information.
So, one can communicate effectively with teams and suppliers
in the same facility or around the world. In addition, being
aware of the application adds to functionality and connectivity
of the manufacturing system. This is time saving as one has to
spend less time on the shop floor and more time on the virtual
floor. “For updating system and investment on cloud segment,
the remote service provided by ABB is box-retrofitted to robots
and also useful for control system. The main USP of our device
is the hacking virus that acts as a safety or licensing technology.
It also has a virtual simulation that connects various devices,”
added Thorvaldsson.
According to research from Micromanufcaturing, there are
three main options for companies that want to implement a
mobile app: develop one internally, have a developer write one
or purchase an off-the-shelf solution that can be customised.
The next big decision is whether to use “native” apps designed
for different smartphone operating systems (such as Android,
iOS or Blackberry) or a web-based application.
The need to adopt smart applications in the manufacturing
facilities accounts to integration with machines and plant
FARO CAM2 Measure 10 Software
Faro’s CAM2 Measure 10 is the
the company’s all-in-one
metrology software for users
that are looking for a single,
complete solution for probing
and scanning tasks, without
the need of any additional
software. Designed with inspection in mind, it can be used in
combination with a Faro scanning device, such as the Faro
ScanArm, providing state-of-the-art functionalities for CAD-to-
Part analysis. The software is perfectly suited for tasks such as
the inspection of free and complex forms and even soft or
flexible materials that are difficult to inspect with a tactile system.
With this, Apple App, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad owners can
communicate with their CAM2 Measure 10 via WLAN and thus
conduct remote measurement.
quaker chemical’s CoolanTool™
CoolanTool™ is the first mobile
app to facilitate the monitoring
processes for metalworking
fluids, and organise
information. It can be
registered in the CNC
machines and track of coolant
concentration can be kept. pH
values are displayed in graphs. A complete troubleshooting
guide for quick and easy problem solving is also included. The
features include monitoring pH and concentration for fluid
condition, tracking results graphically, exporting data to MS
Excel and calculating machine consumption, troubleshooting
tool, which is available in English, Chinese, French, German and
Russian. The benefits include recording results digitally in one
place, illustrating control of chemicals to the local health &
safety executive and conducting analysis and performance
comparisons across multiple machines.
automation, security & interference concerns and converting
paper-based plant logs into electronic log books. Thus, using
such technology simplifies data visualisation, embed sensors,
receive real-time information, mobility and cloud deployment.
This will let the manufacturers achieve a higher customer
satisfaction, service innovation and profitability, thereby
evolving from smart manufacturing to manufacturing smart! ☐
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