By automating systems, Trego Information Systems (TIS) can improve the efficiency of mechanized operations. Using computer-controlled capabilities, such as production recipe control, automatic data collection and centralized storage, and hands-off material transfer, TIS can drive increased production capacity or reduce costs, often achieving both simultaneously.
TIS recognizes that automation has many facets and is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We work with each client to fully understand the needs and determine if, and to what degree, the right automation will produce the largest return on investment. Some of the automation processes we regularly employ, include:
Single process step
Automation is often the first step TIS recommends beyond mechanization, eliminating much of the human interaction with the processing step. Single step automation can also be used to enhance machine speed, quality, and repeatability. Inspections and “dirty” or hazardous operations are often prime candidates for single-step automation efforts.
Multi-process step
Hardware automation integration in multi-step manufacturing can address many capabilities, including:
- Intra- and/or inter-step material handling, data collection and storage
- Forward feeding data to enable downstream adjustments to processing
- Real-time product quality data analyses for rapid correction of “out-of-control” processing
- Process tool monitoring to provide data identifying tool replacement, recalibration, or preventative maintenance
Data automation
Storage, analysis, and reporting of data supports a vast number of capabilities and areas of impact, often relating to quality assessment and process improvement. Through the application of statistical process control, data automation can drive cost reduction and bottom-line profits.
Material handling
TIS can use automation, whether at the pallet, individual unit level or anywhere in between, to address the transfer of product, components, and consumables throughout processing. Automated material handling can extend throughout the supply chain and can even support customer return and anti-counterfeiting activities.
Traceability
Tracing manufactured product can start as early as the raw materials and extend throughout the entire supply chain, if needed. Typically, implementing lot-level or unit-level traceability is most beneficial. Traceability’s return on investment varies with each implementation, with unit level historically returning billions of dollars to manufacturers in specific industries. Traceability can reduce scrap, improve product quality, accelerate products’ time to market, enable anti-counterfeiting efforts, and shorten production process flows — all delivering huge ROI.