Helping Industrial Assembly Innovate Around the Globe

Helping Industrial Assembly Innovate

Sturtevant Richmont process monitors/controllers have always been at the forefront of integrating hand tools and their results data into the production system. 

The wide array of process monitor/controller offerings are designed to fill completely different needs across assembly platforms. 

Companies across multiple industries want automation but don't want to deal with software. They want OK/NOK data so they know the work was done. They want a solution that is fast to install, easy to manage.  And with the PTV they get all that and don't have to worry about software headaches. 

Auto industries have embraced the TCV for brake lines, fuel lines, and other high-speed line type applications where a simple OK/NOK is required. The TCV connects to their DC tools and takes advantage of the existing network so they have automated control and OK/NOK reporting. Two radio-equipped click wrenches operate simultaneously so both sides of the car can be done at the same time. In the brake line world it is about high productivity, short takt times, and simple verification:

• Was the work done?
• Was it done right?
• Next!

The completely opposite side of the approach with the TCV is the Global Series of Process Monitors/Controllers. Why do companies in agricultural equipment, heavy construction equipment, truck production, and others choose the Global 400 error-proofing system? The answer is easy.

Need to organize workers, tools, and multistep jobs in a work cell and get a detailed report on performance? These error-proofing systems provide much flexibility and control. Need multiple tools? Need simultaneous operation for those multiple tools? Need to export data into a data repository and report back up through a network to communicate with the MES? The Global 400 does this and much more. 

That is why so many companies from different industries have fast-tracked the Global 400 to be part of their Global Best Practices Committee programs. Traditionally engines and transmissions are two assemblies that have extraordinarily high costs of errors. Cutting rework is vital to keep warranty costs down and profits up. Those areas are always quick to adopt a Global Series system once they understand what it is and how it can help them. 

Over the last few years, we have seen another area of assembly adopt the Global Series Process Monitors and Controllers. Any area with hydraulic lines very quickly sees the benefits for their area. 

The ability to document that a hydraulic connection has been done and done properly is one thing. The ability to tie the cut in rework to the error-proofing solution makes for easy ROI calculations. 

Whether you want to tightly control the assembly sequence and harden processes, or you want to allow the worker to make the decisions and have the control, we can help you balance that.

Whatever your assembly needs, whatever your process, your local Sturtevant Richmont sales professional has a solution for you.

Driving Errors From Your Assemblies

Ever considered how much you are paying for errors? You are paying for someone to make them, As long as people are making errors and you are paying those people, you are paying for errors. If you are trying to eliminate errors you need help. You need to shine a spotlight on the errors and creating that awareness will drive them from your assemblies. 

To help you shine the spotlight on errors, we created a feature in our Global Controllers called "Reject Limit."  The concept is simple. Yet, it is highly effective. This short video explains:

More on Error-Proofing

Error Proofing From A Different Angle: Definition of error proofing and some observations by W. Edwards Deming.

Finding The Balance: In error proofing "one size fits no one."  To find what fits in your organization, start with the fundamental question of "How much responsibility for error proofing should be given to the tool and how much should be operator responsibility?" This section provides more on this concept.

Six Error Proofing Scenarios: Error proofing solutions all have trade-offs. You can have control or you can have flexibility. Rarely do you get both. This page looks at error proofing extremes as well as the middle ground. 

How Much Are You Investing In Errors? If your current error-proofing system or approach still leaves you with errors you are investing in errors, not error-proofing. Error proofing is about quality and it is also very much about dollars and common sense. This page digs into that.

Understanding The Common Centerline: Not having a common centerline is one invisible place where your error proofing approach can introduce errors instead of eliminating them. If you want to know how to calculate a common centerline and why it is important this page is for you.

There is more about error proofing in our tool pages. If you need more, your Sturtevant Richmont Sales Professional is a great resource to help. 

Sturtevant Richmont tools are proudly made in Carol Stream, Illinois by highly capable hands.