JSR Group is committed to provide the solution which meets the demands of every industrial change in the age of competition when the trend of the industry is moving towards “Industry 4.0”. Automation is the key technology which many entrepreneurs are paying attention but the other technology which is gaining attention and confirmation from many international manufacturing plants because it is key to the improvement of manufacturing efficiency at a large scale is what we will talk about today: Measurement System & Data Management.
When we talk about executives who are experienced in industrial tools, we must definitely come across the name of Mr. Annop Jirojjaturonn, Director from JSR Group. He has defined the meanings of “development” as well as “improvement of manufacturing effectiveness” through Measurement System and Data Management in an interesting manner.
Q1: Why do many industries have to pay attention to measurement system?
When we talk about rapid changes in the industrial sectors in Thailand, we must talk about the coming era of “Industry 4.0”. One question is: What is “Industry 4.0”? Many people are talking about it and it has become the talk of the industry because the overall situation of Thailand’s industry is still based on manual system. Therefore, when we use innovations we have to adjust ourselves in every area, for instance, the manufacturing process, the verification process, the data management related to the output data, and even how to manage tools and operators. Therefore, it can be said that measurement system is very important because it helps companies to scan themselves to see their weak points so that they can improve themselves for better effectiveness.
Therefore, the manufacturing database is far more important and useful than we imagine. In the past, we might use past data to guarantee the quality of a workpiece and the production line and that is just capital which does not cause any income. However, if any entrepreneurs learn and understand Measurement System and Data Management, they will realize that when they add a few technologies or tools to the Measurement System and Data Management, they can gain benefit from such investment, not just in terms of departmental QC or QA, but in every department of the company.”
Q2: What are the functions of Measurement System & Data Management?
We must first understand that generally when we manufacture a workpiece, the operator must verify such workpiece with measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers or any other precision measuring tools before they key in such data on their computer and then show such data on the screen. The process which I have just mentioned is about human labor and it is pure human labor. Such method is full of errors and it is a waste of time and a waste of labor, resulting in a higher cost as well. Afterwards, the data cannot be used in any other tasks. However, Data Management is about how to use communication machines which are installed with small measuring devices so that when the operator measures and presses the button, the system will immediately send the data through peripherals (wireless, Bluetooth or signal devices) to the central computer with software to control the system. This software will analyze the results from the measurements and when there are errors or when it notices that the workpiece does not meet the specifications, the system will notify the operator so that the operator can resolve the problems at that instant.
Q3: What are the outcomes of Measurement & Data Management?
As I have said previously, there are 3 better outcomes from Measurement System & Data Management.
- It saves time, uses less labor and improves the measuring ability. When we make a comparison, we can see that we reduce the data-writing step, the keying and the making of database for analysis. Therefore, instead of at least 3 operators, we can use just 1 operator and there will be more time for measurement so that more workpieces can be verified and as such the manufacturing quality will improve.
- The data is reliable and real-time. The data is automatically saved when you press the button. Therefore, there is no problem regarding the error from manual measurement. The data will be sent for verification in a real-time manner.
- It reduces cost and improves the manufacturing effectiveness. As mentioned above, where there is an error from the manufacturing process, the operator can check the error immediately. The damaged workpiece will not be continued and it will not be sent to the next step of manufacturing. This can reduce a large amount of money. There is no need to manufacture more items to compensate the damaged items, like we did in the past. When this approach is compared with the traditional one in which the damaged item must be carried on until the end of the production line before we can fix the item later, it can be said that this approach saves both time and a large amount of money.
In every technological change, we must invest. One thing which I want to say is that the investment in Data Management is just a small investment in comparison to the value which you will get in the long run. JSR Group has experience and expertise and we can find the best solution regarding Data Management to our customers. We use existing equipment in the factory and make it more effective. This system is the basic foundation which can make any industry develop itself to be in the age Industry 4.0 in a sustainable manner.
