SMART is our five-year programme which aims to make us the EMS industry leader in digitalization and automation. The programme has exceeded into its third year still two to go.
Future work becomes more interesting and intellectually demanding as repetitive and dangerous work can be transferred to cobots and robots. Machines are the most visible part of the SMART programme, but digitalisation might actually be an even more significant change. For example, working instructions are digitalised, localised and used across all our factories, augmented reality, (AR) glasses are used in trainings, meetings can be held virtually, internal communications can be made accessible whenever appropriate to you via mobile phone.
Scanfil Suzhou is an excellent example of how new technologies are utilised and connected. Our new MES (Manufacturing Execution System) monitors the whole production of the Suzhou factory. It automatically orders needed parts from the warehouse, and those will be delivered by AIVs (Automotive Intelligence Vehicle) to the workstation they are needed. As a result, many steps which required people to make simple and less interesting work tasks have disappeared.
“Our employees at Suzhou factory have been very happy with the development. Our production has increased, some less intriguing work tasks have been transferred to cobots and AIVs”, says factory manager Christian Kesten. “As a result, the operators’ work content has become more and more interesting.”
Needless to say that the above increases the overall quality, flexibility, and productivity. Digitalisation also brings our customers and us a full real-time visibility into our production. This improves predictability and secures the operations of our factory. This is beneficial for our customers and us.
“SMART factory is the future. The planned expansion project in Suzhou is based on the productivity calculations and indicated customer demand”, clarifies Christian. “Without the technological leap that we took with SMART, the plan to double our production facility would have been much more challenging.”
We have a SMART and bright future ahead of us.