You shouldn’t have to send an engineer out to the plant floor to update your work instructions. And you definitely don’t need to keep track of a hard copy operator manual. The Argonaut Automated Work Instructions App lets you update your work instructions from a central location and immediately deploy them to any remote location. Easily integrated with Argonaut Error Proofing to prevent advancement without passing quality checks.
- Step by step instructions
- Graphical part and product representation
- PLC feedback on advancing to next step
- Torque test, part placement, process completion
- Enterprise-wide deployment from a central location
- Reduced operator training requirements
- Universally shared best practices
You Shouldn’t Have to Buy an Entire MES to Get Automated Work Instructions
If you haven’t set up automated work instructions because of the cost, Argonaut is your answer. You don’t have to buy an entire MES, and you don’t need a bunch of factory PCs to run your software. Argonaut allows you to buy only the apps you need and deploy them only where you need them with a simple, affordable, IIoT-ready device. You can stop printing manuals and relying on internal knowledge experts to make sure your products are assembled correctly.
Stop Sending an Engineer to Update Your Work Instructions
If you have automated work instructions already, but you have to send an engineer out to the plant for every update, Argonaut is your answer. Argonaut’s comprehensive solution will make it easy for you to update work instructions for one operation or your entire enterprise, all from one central location. No local engineer needed, no factory PC to maintain.
It’s Easy to Scale
Whether you’re starting with one station or an entire enterprise, Argonaut manufacturing software applications are easy to replicate. Once your initial configuration is created, replication is simply a matter of creating instructions for different operations. And because you’re creating a standard configuration for the first operation, you’ll be establishing a standard that can be maintained throughout your organization.
Reduced Operator Training Time
Argonaut has a user-friendly web technology interface that will be familiar to anyone who’s ever used a smartphone. Work instructions can incorporate graphical representations of your parts and products, with specific guidance on part placement and tool operations. You won’t have to pull your most experienced operator off the line in order to train a new person.
Less Reliance on Internal Experts
Automated work instructions quickly bring everyone up to the same level of expertise. Interlocking with operator login and quality alert interface, operators are prompted when a change in Instructions is made. Maintained centrally, they’re instantly communicated to all like stations when updated. Our customers have seen reduced training costs and higher product quality as a result.
Higher Quality and Lower Costs
Consistent operations bring better quality. Instructions are step-by-step, reducing the possibility of operator error. When process improvements are identified or components are changed, you can update instructions on every station at virtually the same time. Our customers who use automated work instructions find significant quality improvements and cost savings.
Here’s an Example
One of our customers was having a variety of quality problems in their overhaul center. Their complex product required precise operations, and quality defects could come from a wide range of causes that were difficult to diagnose. They relied heavily on a few internal knowledge leaders to identify the root cause of problems, design corrective actions, and retrain the operators.
Upon implementing Automated Work Instructions, they were able to configure all parts in their products according to the bill of materials work instructions. Dynamic torque profiles are now specific to part number, and real-time operator feedback is provided. Step-by-step instructions with graphical part representations are giving operators the information they need to do the job right the first time, without support from an internal expert. Significant quality improvements have been realized.
More Than Stand-Alone Work Instructions
Because Argonaut is a platform plus apps architecture, you can easily start with work instructions alone and add other apps, like error proofing, when you’re ready. Error proofing is often the next logical addition to incorporate quality gates for things like part placement, torque verification and process completion. You can choose how exceptions are handled at that moment and use that information to improve production longer term.
Argonaut currently offers the following manufacturing apps, with more under development
- OEE/Factory Information System for process management and reporting
- Track and Trace for part, product and process traceability
- Pack Out: Identify, verify and track completed groups of components
- Error/Mistake Proofing: Quality check for gated operations
- IIoT Gateway: Securely broadcast PLC data to subscribers for interpretation and analysis
- Part Kitting and Sequencing for assembly line optimization
- Automated Work Instructions for each operation
- Media Casting for delivering websites, videos, and images to remote locations
Don’t see yours on the list? Let’s talk, because it’s probably in the lab. Use our contact form or email us at engineering@redviking.com. Our phone number is +1.734.454.0500.
