ASMPT has introduced WORKS Logistics, a cutting-edge application designed to optimise material flow within smart manufacturing environments. This solution excels at delivering materials precisely when and where they are needed, in the exact quantity required, thus eliminating unnecessary material movement and the need for precautionary stockpiling alongside production lines.
Alexander Nitzsche, Senior Product Manager Automation Solutions at ASMPT, notes the industry’s challenge of balancing the avoidance of machine downtimes with the tendency to overstock materials as a precaution. This practice often leads to inefficient use of valuable floor space and the unavailability of materials for other production lines. “WORKS Logistics streamlines this process, facilitating more efficient and automatic material handling, reducing redundant storage, and minimising material movement,” says Nitzsche.
Dynamic material flow based on time slices
WORKS Logistics operates on a dynamic system that calculates material needs in real-time, based on definable time intervals. This system collaborates with the Factory Material Manager software to guarantee that materials are always available at the right time and place, thus ensuring a smooth production process. The application continuously adjusts material demand forecasts, leveraging real-time consumption data and existing stock levels to automate and optimise material flows. This includes generating automatic requisitions for materials from central and intermediate storage areas and initiating timely transport tasks.
Efficient use of materials across orders
One of the key features of WORKS Logistics is its capability to intelligently manage interim storage of materials, thereby reducing unnecessary back-and-forth between storage and production areas. It automatically determines whether materials removed from machines after a production run will be needed soon for upcoming orders. If so, it directs these materials to an Active Feeder Rack in the setup area for quick access. When additional materials are required, the system automatically signals the warehouse, streamlining the supply process.
Towards a smarter factory
“WORKS Logistics is a testament to ASMPT’s commitment to leveraging data for the intelligent optimisation of manufacturing processes,” Nitzsche explains. Drawing on years of industry experience and process expertise, ASMPT has crafted WORKS Logistics to aid smart factories in achieving supply security while significantly easing the workload on operators and the strain on storage and transport systems.
This innovation underscores ASMPT’s role as a leader in providing advanced solutions for electronics manufacturing, offering a practical tool that enhances operational efficiency, reduces waste, and supports the seamless execution of smart factory initiatives.
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