The modern techniques of production management have brought on sizeable changes in the way that production data is processed and analysed. The flexibility of the production processes, the control and synchronization of the supply chain, optimizing stock or ensuring the level of quality are all relevant aspects of the present-day technology of production management.
Nowadays, the advanced production management techniques are based on MES computer systems (manufacturing execution systems) which use algorithms and complex processes that aid in the management of production activities. To allow these applications working correctly it is imperative to have reliable “real time” data available.
 |
| automatic capture of production plant data |
|
So, production plants must have an automatic data capture system supplying to all production management systems plant data and events as they occur.
i:CAPTURE is the definitive tool for control and optimization of production operations.
Its Basic module controls the parameters that are essential to the production elements such as:
Time
Shutdowns
Speed
Production
With control of these parameters they can monitor productive activities relating them to machines, operators and manufacturing orders.
Furthermore, the product has three additional modules:
Efficiency Module – OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency): This module allows you to calculate the OEE indicator of any production installation, with the advantage that data acquisition is carried out automatically by the system.
Quality Module: For those processes which require first level quality control (Shop Floor level) this module is prepared to incorporate quality control data associated with production (automatic control checks, instrument connection, rejections, etc.). Later on, the quality control data can be exploited together with production data.
Traceability Module: This module provides complete traceability to the production operations, incorporating the tracking of materials into the processes, thereby making available all the production information (materials, process variables, machines, workers, etc.) associated with the different production batches .
Logistics Module: This module is oriented towards internal logistics management and its task is to optimize the resources that are used to attend to the flow of products between the warehouse and the production plant.
BENEFITS
The implementation and use of i:CAPTURE provides real and quantifiable benefits to operational costs of any production process. In summary, we will list the most important:
Reduction of the production cycle.
Reduction/Elimination of time needed for codifying production data, quality control data, etc.
Reduction of work in progress (WIP).
Reduction/Elimination of using paper in plant operations.
Reduction of Set-Up and loading times (preparations).
Improvement in the quality of the product (reduction of faults).
Reduction of warehouse transactions.
Increase in production capacity (use of equipment).
Reduction of intermediate stock.
