Fastems Manufacturing Management Software (MMS) has proven to be a ‘powerful solution’ for planning, forecasting, controlling, visualising and monitoring automated manufacturing processes.
The new MMS Work Cell Operations (WCO) now makes it possible to include all manual production tasks, work cells, and stand-alone machines in the IT-supported planning, control and monitoring of production; it can be used either separately for machines or manual workstations or in combination with an automated pallet and/ or workpiece-handling system.
Available in the UK from Fastems UK & Ireland (
www.fastems.com), WCO is said to offer a whole range of advantages for work preparation, shopfloor management and control; these include time-optimised automated production planning that takes account of the entire process chain (managed by WCO), along with automatic detailed planning that allows production with smaller part buffers.
In particular, employees on the shopfloor have a clear view of what tools and materials are needed — and which resources may be missing.
Additionally, employees always know exactly which tasks are due in a shift, as they are provided with clear and prioritised work lists.
If permitted, an employee at a machine or work cell can also have access to all the important production documents and instructions via the WCO module.
Against this background, WCO offers a high level of transparency with regard to current information on manufacturing capacities, production output and order status.
Fastems says “another compelling aspect” of its new WCO software is that it provides all the tools needed to combine automated and non-automated production steps in a uniform production management system.
“Functions such as deburring and parts washing can now be incorporated into cells and monitored, along with CNC machine tools and automation equipment integrated into a cell or FMS.
“The solution is therefore a decisive step towards fully integrated manufacturing operations management, enabling continuous improvement of all production processes through the digitalisation of manufacturing workflows.”
As with all of Fastems products and services, WCO is offered at several levels of engagement and application, and it can be installed in stages, with each stage providing more capability and more functions.