What is Visual Factory?
Quick Definition
Visual factory is a term to describe how data and information is conveyed in a lean manufacturing environment. In a lean manufacturing environment time and resources dedicated to conveying information, although necessary, are a form of waste. By using visual methods to convey information such as signs, charts and andons, information is easily accessible to those who need it. The current status of all processes is immediately apparent.
Expanded Definition
The more complex any process becomes, the more critical information exchange is to the process. Visual factory is a set of tools that allow for accurate and efficient information conveyance. Visual Factory is implemented in two stages – determining what information needs to be communicated and how this is accomplished.
Determining what information needs to be conveyed is the starting point of visual factory. The current state must be compared to the future state goals in order to determine what information is to be delivered. The information required to get from one state to another is what must be conveyed. How the information is conveyed depends on the desired end result. The location and method of information delivery also depends on the relevancy of the information. Typically this data includes.
• Process metrics
• Work instructions
• General plant information
Process metrics are typically displayed at the machine or cell. This information is most effective when it is delivered in real time. Immediate feedback facilitates immediate improvement. When light is used to indicate information it is referred to as an andon. Andons are often the centerpiece of the visual factory because of the tremendous real-time process information that they convey.
Work instructions are typically posted in the production areas. Highly visual instructions with photographs and graphics will generally minimize production errors. The more information can be conveyed visually the more it will improve communication.
General plant information is typically posted in a central location where everyone has access to it. Lean manufacturing relies on bi-directional information exchange throughout the organization. In a visual factory environment information is delivered to inform, alert and motivate.
How Can Visual Factory Help My Organization?
Efficient timely communication allows organizations to function at their full potential.
• Reduce Errors
• Increase Employee Moral
• Increase Machine Uptime
• Increase Machine Run Rates
• Decrease WIP (Work in Progress)
Visual Factory Allows Companies to communicate and provide world class performance.
Vorne Products in Visual Factory
Vorne visual displays provide real-time information to enhance manufacturing performance by delivering real-time display of KPIs, safety and general plant messages and more.
We offer many visual display and production monitoring products to serve a variety of plant floor applications. The following product solutions are some of the most common.
| Virtual Andon | |
|---|---|
PROBLEM |
Real-time production data would help reduce our reaction time and improve production performance. |
STRATEGY |
Vorne visual displays support a wide variety of real time process metrics from a single variable such as run rate or downtime to more than 100 real-time KPIs including OEE. |
SOLUTION |
The 87 Series – Great for displaying up to three
KPIs such as count, rate and downtime or target count, actual count and percent efficiency. |
| Real-Time Messaging | |
PROBLEM |
We normally post messages and production spreadsheets on a bulletin board in the cafeteria. We need a better way to inform, alert and motivate employees. |
STRATEGY |
Deliver real-time production data, safety message, general employee messaging and more directly to the plant floor. |
SOLUTION |
GY2200 2" and M1000 2" to 4.5" large alphanumeric displays deliver real-time messaging to the plant floor. Free M1000 Express messaging software makes it easy to develop and deliver messages that inform, alert and motivate employees. |
Call us toll free at 1-888-DISPLAYS (1-888-347-7529). We are Visual Factory specialists and have been providing visual display products for over 30 years. We are happy to help – just call.
