When More Than Downtime Matters

More Than Downtime Matters in MFG

Yes, downtime is a huge concern and a big reason why shop floors invest in machine monitoring software. However, there are added benefits when using machine monitoring software that helps to give machine operators a voice. 

A red icon of a wrench turning a nut with a question mark in the center of itA specific brand of machine monitoring software through Shop Floor Automations has a feature that will be useful to machinists called secondary status notes. As an example of what it can do, let’s say the machine is running and cutting parts, so the status is “In Cycle,” but the operator wants to notify someone that they are running low on material. They can put it in a “need material” secondary status note.

Since the need for material is not actually affecting the current cycling of the machine, it’s a secondary need.  So that machinist can push a button and put it in this secondary status. This will display as a different color to make it stand out to anyone looking up at the universal status screen.

The need for material is not downtime for the machine, but a request or notification of something else that needs attention that can also slow down production if it is not addressed can be very important on the shop floor, as well. This status can also appear as an email alert, as well as the status screen previously mentioned.

machine monitoring status

Click for large view of secondary status notes

This secondary status notes field is also important because it is a tool for machinists to be heard – it gives the operator an ability in the data entry screen to enter downtime reasons and explanations. It allows operators to give feedback to other users to understand production issues with a given machine, which can help with higher-ups who don’t work directly with the machines.

This feature also helps so a report can be run of all notes for specific downtime reasons. Are they happening at similar times for similar issues, or are there issues of materials not being brought to a machine in a timely manner, or a machine not being kept on a decent maintenance schedule?

If you want more information on all of the benefits machine monitoring can bring to your shop, such as integrating machine monitoring with CMMS solutions, please contact Shop Floor Automations. Call (877) 611-5825 or chat with us on social media