Touch panel application and selection of production orders

Challenges/problems

Need to have a current list of production orders available to the operator
Lack of information about the operator's time on the job
Lack of space or dusty environment preventing the use of scanners
Having production data in different locations and the need to integrate them

Solution

Touch panel-based integration of the order database into the Vorne system
Machine operator login via RFID card
Replacement of QR code scanners with virtual tiles
Can be used on a regular touchscreen computer

Solution description

Often manufacturing companies need better communication with the machine operator. In addition to a barcode scanner, which is the basic equipment of the Vorne XL board, operators need a more flexible tool that will give them more reporting options directly from the production floor. If, in addition, there is already a tablet computer at the machine on which the Vorne XL HMI application can be installed, it becomes very attractive financially to implement the additional functionality.

In addition, dust in the production environment sometimes prevents the trouble-free operation of standard scanners. Then replacing them with a touch panel application is an ideal solution.

In order to meet the expectations of our customers to increase the functionality of the standard version of the Vorne XL system, we wrote an application dedicated to operators for HMI panels. The functionality of our application is flexible and can be adapted to the individual needs of each production station.

Reporting the causes of downtime via touch panel tiles
Reporting on the amount of production waste on a real-time basis
Selecting and starting a production order from a dynamic list that is automatically updated from the MES/ERP system
Reporting of production order execution in real time during production directly to the ERP/MES system
Ability to queue production orders according to established priority in ERP
Automatic retrieval of information directly from the PLC about the task in progress on the machine (automatic robots or CNC machines)
Registration of the batch of raw material used in the production of a given order and accounting for it in the warehouse, e.g. by means of a barcode stuck on the warehouse batch
Automatic printing of a label (individual template) for a given production batch
Logging of the production machine operator by means of an RFID card
Registration of working time of "mobile operators" during a production shift and proportional settlement according to the achieved productivity on a given machine
Additional messages and other helpful information for the operator displayed via the HMI from the ERP system, e.g. ItemCode, DIN, MatchCode

Additional advantages of using an HMI-based solution:

Maintaining high cleanliness of the production area by being able to wash and disinfect the touch panel, very useful e.g. in the food, electronics, pharmaceutical industries.
The HMI panel is sealed and can be, for example, electrostatic, so it provides greater ergonomics, for example, when there is a lot of dust in production
No need to print barcode sheets with reasons for downtime - replaced by an intuitive interface with tiles
Communication with any database, ERP/MES/APS system
Configurable number and appearance of tabs and buttons, colors, fonts, text labels and more
Automatically starts at Windows™ login
Can coexist with other applications or exclude access to other applications as needed
Can be installed on any computer