While data and the insights it delivers are playing an increasingly important role in manufacturing workflows and new tools are continuously being developed to leverage the power of information, a significant change resulting from the increasing accessibility of data is the application of quality-related information much earlier in the manufacturing process.
Ryan Kilmurray, product manager (Cloud Reporting) at
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, said: “Gone are the days of inspecting components only when they are complete, when issues with quality are difficult, expensive, or sometimes even impossible to fix. Today, cloud-based metrology reporting software is one of many tools available to manufacturers that want to make quality-related feedback more integral to their workflow by collecting and using data from various metrology reporting systems. This digital tool makes it easy for users to consolidate and analyse data, collaborate with team members, and quickly resolve issues that could otherwise derail production.”
Mr Kilmurray says that as experienced quality professionals retire, the skills gap between them and less experienced employees continues to widen, making the availability of tools for ‘greener employees’ to use productively more important than ever. “Users with varying degrees of experience can easily access cloud-based metrology data to track a component’s measurement trends against required tolerances, identify the root cause of poor or diminished part quality, generate metrology reports for easy communication and collaboration, and apply real-time insights to work in progress.
“Indeed, metrology-reporting software not only ensures staff achieve results regardless of skill level but also offers the added benefit of making experienced quality professionals even more productive. Such software also complements the preferred desktop applications of skilled employees who benefit from a modern and intuitive user experience that streamlines reporting and saves time — and robust cloud-based metrology-reporting software connects seamlessly with leading metrology tools to provide instant cloud data management and reporting without any new on-site IT.”
Mr Kilmurray goes on to say that with cloud-based reporting, accessing metrology data wherever and whenever it is needed can be accomplished by simply logging into the system through any web browser. “Quality trends can also be tracked during production on any mobile device, and users can easily troubleshoot problems with interactive visualisation and computer-aided design (CAD) reports. Users also have the option of receiving automated alerts when quality trends toward non-tolerance or other issues arise, thereby enabling staff to devote valuable time to other tasks.
“As well as streamlining internal communication, the availability of cloud-based reporting tools makes it easier for companies to share real-time metrology information with suppliers; it also helps manufacturers retrieve untapped metrology data from their equipment and enables them to track problems back to the source via a batch identification number. The traceability of activities and comprehensiveness of detailed, critical information makes it much easier for users to quickly grasp and resolve problems.
“Smarter manufacturing boils down to applying the insights gleaned from data that manufacturers generate whenever a part is inspected or made. There are multiple benefits, including helping to prevent problems with quality throughout the process chain. Indeed, applying quality insights earlier in the process speeds up production and supports optimal part quality; and sharing quality insights with a broader team ensures that everyone is armed with vital information that can be used to predict and put out those inevitable fires.”