A new, comprehensive, quality-management application from Rockwell Automation allows manufacturers to more easily and efficiently model and enforce in-process quality regimens. The Quality Management fit-for-purpose application (app) is an out-of-box, stand-alone application that is scalable to include other fit-for-purpose apps within the FactoryTalk ProductionCentre manufacturing execution system (MES) from Rockwell Automation.
Through tight integration with automation and business-level quality-management systems, the Quality Management fit-for-purpose app collects and exchanges data quickly, so nonconformance issues are identified before product leaves the plant.
“Our customers are working to connect plant-floor data with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and business analytics to increase productivity and better manage global operations,” said Todd Montpas, product manager, MES Software, Rockwell Automation. “This solution fills a gap for those producers who might not have large MES infrastructures, but want to move away from disparate or antiquated paper-based quality systems. And it’s designed to grow with them when they expand into other MES solutions and become a more Connected Enterprise.”
Using a built-in notification engine, the fit-for-purpose app quickly alerts personnel when a quality check needs to be completed. If the check fails, a configurable escalation work flow drives operations into additional quality sampling and corrective action plans, creating the potential to salvage product still on the line. This also gives plant and operations managers insight into the total number of completed, suspected and wasted batches.
The Quality Management fit-for-purpose app has the ability to run as a true thin-client application on desktops and a variety of devices, further reducing the cost and complexity of the quality system.
