Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “tally scrap and rework on paper”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

10 min
typically, every day
60%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Swap paper checksheets for tablet forms that feed the system directly

Digital forms on a tablet at the line fill in date, shift, line and operator for you, check values against limits, and send data straight where it is needed. Nobody types the clipboard in later.

Typically saves about 60% of the time4 h to set up
  1. 1List the paper forms filled in most each shift.
  2. 2Rebuild the top three as digital forms in a connected-worker app or Power Apps.
  3. 3Mount a tablet at the station or let people use a shared device.
  4. 4Set alerts for out-of-limit values and stop printing the paper version.

Tools: Tulip, Poka, Augmentir, SafetyCulture or Microsoft Power Apps

Fix 2 of 2

Automation

Let the machines record counts, downtime and OEE themselves

Simple machine monitoring (a sensor or a link to the machine controller) counts parts and logs stops automatically. Operators only pick a reason for each stop on a tablet, and the KPI report is always up to date.

Typically saves about 70% of the time8 h to set up
  1. 1Pick one bottleneck line or machine to start.
  2. 2Trial a machine monitoring tool (Vorne XL, MachineMetrics, Evocon, Guidewheel, or your MES if you have one).
  3. 3Set up a short list of downtime reasons operators can tap.
  4. 4Replace the paper count sheet on that line, then roll out to the rest.

Tools: Vorne XL · MachineMetrics · Evocon · Guidewheel · Your MES

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Are your checksheets filled in on a tablet instead of paper?
Digital forms fill in the date, shift and line for you, warn when a value is out of limits, and send the data to the system. Nobody has to type up the clipboards later.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Machine operators / line workers