Written by Drew Klaber, Precision Tools Sales Representative at Mitutoyo America Corp.
The truth is, we live in a data-driven world. And one of the biggest benefits of using software to collect data in the automotive industry is the ability to adjust the manufacturing process in real time, using your own valuable data. This allows for more accurate decision making which ultimately improves product quality and reduces costs.
The quality is positively influenced by the speed with which problems are detected. If a problem should be resolved, the software can instantly detect it and send alerts. This allows operators and workers to make changes on the fly, instead of manually recording the situation and realizing hours or days later that there was a problem that needed to be corrected. As a result, less waste is produced in the manufacturing process, which reduces the overall cost of manufacturing the product.
Common alerts related to manufacturing issues include those for worn tools that require adjustments, whether it’s replacing a tool or performing a machine tool offset to help keep the process stable. If there is a tooling or materials issue that is causing issues, automatic alerts help reduce material wastage and better understand the status of the manufacturing process.
The difference between Bluetooth and traditional wireless data collection
A traditional U-WAVE wireless system uses a Zigbee protocol, which is a widely used global standard. It acts more like an industrial wireless system, given the low level of interference, noise, or competition with other frequencies nearby. It also provides a stable connection over a long measuring range, with excellent runtime (it is not uncommon to get around 400,000 transmissions from a single battery.)
One requirement is that this protocol has historically been attached to a Windows operating system. This means that you need to take a Windows tablet or Windows laptop with you to access the system.
Now, however, there is a Bluetooth version of the U-WAVE system that complements traditional wireless. This uses a standard Bluetooth protocol, which can communicate with Android and iOS operating systems. It allows anyone to send data to their smartphone or tablet, making it easier to take measurements, especially if you are measuring something extremely large like a vehicle, train car or an airplane wing.
Data can be recorded and sent on site, improving mobility and ease of use.
How the automotive industry can integrate Bluetooth data collection
With a Bluetooth system, free apps are available for download through the App Store and Google Play, as well as for Windows, to help optimize the Bluetooth measurement experience. Mobile applications incorporate innate data collection. Make the only investment necessary for an automotive company a measurement tool and a Bluetooth add-on.
For the automotive market, this makes it easier to share data and metrics, regardless of what platform an automaker uses. With each app, it’s easy to share and export data to put it in the hands of quality engineers, manufacturing engineers, or other decision makers who need it.
© Mitutoyo America Corp. | https://www.mitutoyo.com/
And it looks like Bluetooth is likely to become the standard for data collection in the automotive industry, as well as other industries. This is due to an increased demand on the part of the operator for the improved flexibility and freedom provided by Bluetooth, whether measuring on the shop floor, measuring remanufactured parts or even measuring in. a quality laboratory without being tied to a cable measuring device.
The days of taking measurements on a clipboard and passing them on to someone else are coming to an end.
Seamless software integration
Whether via Bluetooth, the Zigbee protocol, or a wired measuring device, the good news is that quality software systems work well with all communication formats. The seamless integration allows flexible data management and makes it easy to export data to share or open in another format, such as Microsoft Excel.
This makes Bluetooth, integrated with software measurement systems, an ideal solution for data collection in the automotive industry and, really, any industry that makes a product that needs to be measured. This includes oil and gas, where item traceability is essential. This also includes the aerospace and medical industry, where tracking measurement data is essential for vital parts. Just like having a detailed history and accurate measurement log for each component, Bluetooth maximizes the ability to collect this valuable data using measurement software.
Plus, Bluetooth works seamlessly with all tools with Digimatic output capability, from calipers and micrometers to hardness testers and laser scanners. Auto-pairing Bluetooth transmitters with an operating system is as easy as downloading an app.
In addition, a Bluetooth transmitter can be rated IP so that it meets certain criteria to ensure that no physical or liquid contaminants enter and damage the equipment, either on the transmitter side or the remote side. ‘measuring tool. This ruggedness means they are ideal for industrial environments.
Data will continue to guide the future of manufacturing and measurement. Adopting software-based data collection only serves to streamline operations and improve accuracy at a time when quality and productivity are both non-negotiable.
Mitutoyo America Corp.
www.mitutoyo.com
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