In today's competitive environment, modern production is facing numerous challenges, from ever increasing product versions to having to adhere to tight deadlines. To keep up, the industry is aiming to become more agile and tech-savvy while still trying to reach high production and sustainability standards.
The successful implementation of tightening systems is key to ensuring a problem-free production process, as any disturbance can lead to far reaching consequences. Issues with a tightening tool could lead to undesirable outcomes, paralyzing production lines unless the problem is swiftly and accurately addressed.
Up to this point, the line stoppage procedure has always remained the same. Whenever a tightening tool breaks down, the operator reports the issue. A supervisor then comes to the station to conduct a quick analysis of the issue at hand, such as a frozen controller, and the only solution being to reboot it. With two minutes needed to do so, this often takes up to ten minutes altogether, and time is wasted. This is particularly concerning when the average tact time is 50 seconds.
Why risk losing valuable production time?
With ToolsControl, you can revolutionize your production optimization. As a server-controller portal, ToolsControl enables controller software to exist without a dedicated hardware. The system is deployed on 3 server units, so-called nodes, enabling unprecedented uptime and easiness of use. Learn more about the features and benefits of ToolsControl.
Here are the outcomes:
Self-healing
ToolsControl constantly monitors the status of each individual virtual controller. As soon as something wrong is detected, it activates a self-healing function, fixing the problem within seconds. Production continues with no operator involvement and within the tact time.
Failover
When ToolsControl identifies the specific malfunctioning hardware component it moves all controllers to the components that are still available and running in the system. The controllers are thereafter reinitiated, reconnected to the tools and brought back on-line. This automatic Failover feature is initiated within 8 seconds, a process that otherwise can take up to 30 minutes. A time difference that represents valuable additional uptime.
ToolSwap
Imagine a situation when your tightening tool stops working. Normally, you would connect the tool to the controller and reprogram it to make it work. With ToolsControl you make a few clicks in the software and your tool gets automatically changed. Without any need for the operator to take any action.
Single IP
The enabler of our Self-healing, Failover and ToolSwap features is called Single IP, an Atlas Copco patented solution. Instead of assigning a different controller IP to each tool, ToolsControl sets the same IP address on every tool, meaning all tools will have the same IP address. This also includes accessories on the line.
Learn more and be inspired!
