5 Ways to support continuous improvement in production with Real-Time Tracking (Part 2)

Based on our experience in implementing real-time tracking in production and internal logistics, data and insights collected by RTLS can support Kaizen in the following ways.

1. More Effective Inventory Management

One of the cases we have come across was a manager of a factory that produces truck tires, who wanted to maximize the utilization of curing machines. The management of green tire inventory was inefficient and as a result, many of them were often left on the factory floor and curing slots were too often empty. The problem was also exacerbated by the fact that many green tires were scrapped in other parts of the site.

In such a case, the first step to the reduction of waste could be achieved by adding location tracking tags to moving product carriers. This way the manager has the ability to track the carrier — thus monitoring the movement of tires across the facility.

Subsequently, the data collected from the monitoring can help the logistics manager to prepare plans to achieve fewer physical inventory counts of WIP, more efficient processing of green tires, and thus ensure less labor overtime.

2. Reduce Time needed for Asset Search

Poor workplace organization, unbalanced workloads, assets used by other workers, unoptimized processes, and even a lack of communication — these are just a few factors that lead to misplacement of assets. This is often a serious problem and a big Waiting waste, because while workers search for a key tool or component, it may delay the whole production process. We have heard stories where this can take hours. In the meantime — workers are waiting, production is not moving, Just-In-Time delivery is at risk.

By having an RTLS in place, any important item can be accurately and quickly located on a digital site map by typing its name into a browser, providing it is equipped with a location tag. For example, with our own Analytical Dashboard, users can view maps of facilities and track employees, forklifts, tugger trains, toolboxes, and other assets used in production and intralogistics processes. Even if a searched item has already left the monitored area, the Dashboard will show the “last seen” location and related time.

Source: Indoorway