Visual Knowledge Share Ltd > Case Studies > Digitization and Process Improvement in Valve Manufacturing: A Case Study

Digitization and Process Improvement in Valve Manufacturing: A Case Study

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Technology Category
  • Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Networks & Connectivity - Bluetooth
Applicable Industries
  • Aerospace
  • Education
Applicable Functions
  • Product Research & Development
  • Quality Assurance
Use Cases
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing Process Simulation
Services
  • Testing & Certification
  • Training
About The Customer
Valve Research & Manufacturing Company has been designing and manufacturing valves for land, sea, air, and space applications since 1975. The company provides the smallest of parts for the biggest of industrial projects, manufacturing solenoid, relief, and check valves for aerospace platforms and oceanographic applications. The company takes a serious interest in perfecting the tiniest of processes that contribute to the industrial whole. The company has been working with VKS Pro since 2015 to improve its quality and assembly processes. The company is based in Florida and has almost 80 users of VKS software working at a time.
The Challenge
Valve Research & Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of valves for various applications, was facing challenges with its outdated paper-based system for assembly instructions. The company had to deal with the cumbersome process of printing and distributing assembly instructions and engineering drawings to each operator. The operators then had to interpret these instructions without any visual aids. Whenever a revision was needed, it resulted in a chaotic process of tracking down jobs across the facility to update the paperwork. This was particularly challenging given the high precision components involved in the assembly process. The company also had to deal with the task of implementing real-time adjustments, which was a monumental task given the multiple job orders involved in each change. The paper-based system also required operators to leave their workstations to log each operation they were performing, which was time-consuming.
The Solution
The company adopted VKS Pro, a digital solution, to facilitate its digitization process. VKS Pro allowed the company to create customized work instructions, which included visual aids like photos and videos. This made it easier for operators to understand the assembly process. The digital solution also made it easier to implement revisions. Whenever a change was needed, it could be updated instantly through VKS Pro, eliminating the need to track down jobs across the facility. The company also used VKS Pro to streamline tasks and organize the sequence of the assembly process, reducing the need to log individual operations into the ERP system. This saved a significant amount of time as operators no longer had to leave their workstations to log each operation. The company also used VKS Pro to capture tribal knowledge from experienced operators and incorporate it into the work instructions. This helped to improve the instructions and reduce confusion for newer operators.
Operational Impact
  • The adoption of VKS Pro has brought about significant operational improvements for Valve Research & Manufacturing Company. The digital solution has made it easier for operators to understand the assembly process, thanks to the inclusion of visual aids in the work instructions. This has resulted in fewer errors and improved efficiency. The company has also been able to streamline tasks and organize the sequence of the assembly process, reducing the need to log individual operations into the ERP system. This has saved a significant amount of time and improved productivity. The digital solution has also made it easier to implement revisions, eliminating the chaotic process of tracking down jobs across the facility. The company has also been able to capture tribal knowledge from experienced operators and incorporate it into the work instructions, further improving the quality of the instructions and reducing confusion for newer operators.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Significant reduction in time spent on logging individual operations into the ERP system
  • Efficient implementation of revisions, eliminating the need to track down jobs across the facility
  • Streamlined tasks and organized sequence of the assembly process

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