Key aspects in the use of an Andon system for industrial plants

The real value of an Andon system for industrial plants lies not in the technology itself, but in knowing how to use it properly. Therefore, its implementation is more than just putting up some lights, dashboards, or cards, because to achieve proper functioning and get the most out of it, it requires changing the way we use it.

The Andon system for industrial plants offers real solutions based on the needs of plant managers, specifically in terms of real-time, operational, accurate, and relevant information, targeted both at line operators and their supervisors; enabling:

• Accelerate the time needed to overcome a stop; e
• Identify its causes.

That is to say, the Andon system for industrial plants acts as a communication tool that informs all company operators about the status of a production line or process. Andon, which is generally found in the form of status lights, traffic light systems, or display panels, is very common in the automotive industry, that is, in the production of vehicle components, but also in packaging and shipping companies, inventory management, and more.

The use of Andon signals can vary from one process to another, and the applications for Andon systems are countless, but they are generally used to:

• Communicate the production line status, stoppage, overload, or idle time;
• Communicate workstation status;
• Communicate production settings such as temperatures, pressures, weights, speeds, electricity or gas consumption, etc.;
• Communicate different times: current time, downtime, runtime
• Production volumes, WIP, and products produced;
• Call signs for supervisors and managers in a specific area: Different production KPIs or objectives such as planned production.

An Andon system can be incredibly valuable in manufacturing, particularly when combined with a SCADA control system, which is capable of sending data to the departments where it is most needed, such as maintenance or control rooms.

An Andon system in operation eliminates the reliance on whiteboards, clipboards, and word-of-mouth for up-to-date plant floor cycle status information. The key benefit of the Andon system for industrial plants is that it makes the condition of manufacturing processes easy and readily visible to plant managers, operators, and maintenance personnel.

Andon boards can also act as an early warning device. When abnormal conditions are noticed, they will appear on the Andon board often before an alarm sounds, giving operators and managers time to correct problems before they start in some cases.

Alarm activation, typically via a chord or button, automatically stops production so a solution can be found. Warning lights are incorporated into an easily visible overhead sign, which also identifies the specific area or workstation experiencing the problem.

ULTATEK It is an Andon system integrator for production processes, specializing in reducing factory downtime, which allows us to achieve Personalized advice according to the reality of your plant.

To know how the process is installation of MES systems for the automotive industry to know the ways in which automation software for vehicle parts assembly drives plant productivity, we invite you to subscribe to the Specialized Industrial Automation Newsletter, a newsletter with content about Industry 4.0 innovations, investment application trends, and much more.