September, 2017
www.us-tech.com
Page 65
Visual Work Instructions: GPS of Manufacturing O
By Berenice Mengo, Online Marketing Specialist, VKS
perating in a high-mix, low-volume environ- ment, effectively navigating the manufac- turing process can be complex and difficult. But there are reliable solutions to help steer man- ufacturers toward the most efficient processes. One of these is the company Visual Knowledge Share (VKS). According to electronics contract manufacturer Scott Electronics, VKS is its “manu- facturing GPS.”
VKS creates a digital work instruction plat- form that seamlessly captures and shares produc- tion data in real time. The system creates a high level of interaction between employees and soft- ware, collecting critical process information and storing it.
Data collected by the system can be searched, shared and exported in a variety of formats, as well as accessed from any of today’s popular browsers. Scott Electronics is a family-run business that was founded in 1986. From its two facilities in Salem, New Hampshire, and Nogales, Mexico, the company provides cables and assem- blies for industries from medical to homeland security.
VKS creates a digital work instruction platform that seamlessly captures and shares production data in real time.
The lean manufacturer operates in a high-mix, low-volume environ- ment, focusing on wire and cable har- nessing, fiber optic assembly, and a range of other products. The company specializes in MRI technology, TSA equipment for airports, and blood analysis equipment. Scott Electronics has nearly 200 employees at each location and holds ISO and ITAR cer- tifications
Growing Leaner
As a lean manufacturing advo- cate and practitioner, VKS helped Scott Electronics to transition to sin- gle-piece flow, a major lean manufac- turing concept. The company strives to improve production methods that have the most significant impact on manufacturing. Scott Electronics’ facilities now benefit from VKS soft- ware, which guides the employees through simplified, yet efficient, pro- cedures. In its niche market, advanced work methods are a con- crete advantage over the competition. VKS is a versatile tool that can bring many benefits to companies, but Scott Electronics has its own way of describing the solution. VKS reminds Scott’s leadership of the transition from the map to the GPS. In the past, directions were limited to large, unwieldy maps. It was hard to tell if they were outdated, they were difficult to read, and they could not be used easily while driving. The advent of the GPS guaran- teed information in real time, was always up-to-date and was easy to understand. VKS does something sim- ilar for manufacturing.
In the past, all operations were controlled through paper. Now manu- facturers have the option to use tools, such as VKS, where operators can see information in real time, while they are working. The visual, intuitive sys- tem can be a great benefit to manufac- turers of all sizes and levels of com- plexity.
Highly-Targeted Products
Any company that sells products globally must adhere to world-class standards. VKS sus- tains international quality management require- ments. Scott Electronics counts on VKS for quality processes and products, as well as to grow its mar- ket share with an effective quality management system. Scott sells highly-targeted products. The flexible system of work instructions from VKS allows it to meet its specific targets without added complication.
By implementing visual work instructions, Scott Electronics has gone paperless in production.
Scott Electronics has experienced some chal- lenges, as most manufacturing companies do. Sustaining change, trying to standardize the work,
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