Paper and binders are often the operators’ primary tool. New technologies rarely reach out on the production floor. But several new tools are moving through various initiatives.
Swedish industry is often said to be world class . Automated, efficient and high level of technology.
But operators seem to have been forgotten as the industry developed.
- It’s very often jams in folders in an office far away. These include job descriptions and fault reports, says Camilla Grane, lecturer in engineering psychology at Luleå University.
She leads the project “Future Operator “, a collaboration between Chalmers, Luleå University and Swedish industry, financed by Vinnova.
– The goal was to identify common needs for Swedish industry. Then the solutions of real benefit, says Camilla Grane.
The first step was to accompany operators out to observe them in action.
– We saw that the operators lack much of the day. There was a need to continue working to develop a whole new toolbox for them.
The solution has various apps. A smart phone, the operator can always have with you, unlike a binder. And when the information is digitized, it also becomes searchable.
Work Instructions can easily be picked up on the phone. Although service request can be made via an app. All items are tagged and can be scanned by. Since there are already a lot of basic information that becomes available.
Another example is to take care of Supervisors through the phone. It can also be done by scanning an item’s RFID tag or a qr code to obtain the information contained in the system.
concentrator at Aitik has been involved in the project and have an interest in using the technology.
– We have a need to document patrols in an easy and safe way. This allows apps to be a good way. But there must be a product that we can buy, so we hope it will, says Kjell-Arne Johansson, a technical adviser at Aitik.
The apps are not out on the market, but is owned by Future project operator. A commercialization are included in the plans for the next step. The project is awaiting clearance from VINNOVA for funding of two years on app development.
Operators used as a generic name for a variety of roles, such as machine operators , electrical workers or assemblers. And it may be in different types of activities, from engineering to process.
– A goal has been to make it cross-industry, because there are many with similar needs with individual work, Camilla Grane.
Another industrial company, a classic subcontractor who wanted their digital work instructions, turned to the consultant Novotek.
Novotek are distributors of Proficy Workflow, a software from GE’s Intelligent Platforms . With the software they ensure that automate manual workflows and the right person gets the right information at the right time.
However, it was problematic to use computer or tablet with lego manufacturer.
– After visiting the customer was our challenge to find ways to project information, said Thomas Lundqvist.
When hatched the idea of Google Ice Cream, ordered a few, programmed and …
- It went much better than we dared hope for, says Jens Molin, head of business development.
Novotek received an award from the fair Scanautomatic and Process Technology for the year’s new product.
They present a solution for the customer where someone will To get instructions on a computer, another on a tablet, and a third through the glasses – but no paper is used.
Swedish company Penny in Västerås was actually before Google Ice Cream and are now ready to astound the world with more advanced technology in collaboration with computer manufacturer Dell. Their glasses are designed for industrial applications.
– We have spent an incredible amount of gunpowder technology development. The product should be soundless and hands. You control with your head and click with the jaw, explains Erik Lundström, CEO and founder of Penny.
Initial interest from both industry and military.
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