Several terms are used in industry to describe the information developed by Manufacturing and Process Engineers to support the factory floor. These terms include Work Instructions, Process Documentation, Computer Aided Process Planning, Standard Operating Procedures, Job Instructions, Method Sheets etc. and typically encompass any information that shop floor supervision and operators might need to complete their task.
This information can include Routers, Text, Reference Documents, Quality Standards, Digital Images, CAD, Video, Work Standards, Ergonomic Assessment and Analysis, Tooling, Job Aids Required, Material and Parts Lists, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), HACCP's, Control Plans and FMFA's.
The Work Instructions Software Module is designed to provide Manufacturing and Planning Engineers with the ability to create manufacturing and assembly plans for any product or process.
With the many capabilities of the system, including the use of multimedia, graphics, digital images and text, engineers can define, create, save and deliver detailed work instructions to any authorized user either as a hard copy document or electronically, using the web-enabled viewing capability of the system.
Benefits
EASEworks® Work Instructions links the manufacturing engineering department into the total manufacturing process and leads to:
Reduced Planning Time
Manufacturing Engineers can generate electronic work instructions faster and with greater accuracy.
Quicker response to Engineering Changes
Using the modeling capability-WhatIf and Same As Except - the manufacturing engineers are better equipped to respond to the demands of engineering change activity and predict the impact of change before it is implemented on the shop floor.
Improved Quality
Shop floor operators can see the latest Work Instructions, with effective and easy to understand graphics, digital images, text and quality standards using a web browser.
Reduced Scrap
Work instructions created using computer aided techniques increase the productivity of the manufacturing engineering department and allow more time to be applied to improving the manufacturing process and quality of the parts produced.
Support for Lean Manufacturing
Work Instructions are part of standardized work. EASEworks neatly combines the many aspects of standardized work into one accessible area. This includes cycle times, production sequences, methods, operator proceedures, work instructions, quality control checks, safety issues, material plans, optional WIP and layout.
ISO 9001:2000 Compliance
EASE provides control and dissemination of any type of manufacturing document
EASE supports ISO 9001:2000 Section
4.2.3. Control of documents
4.2.4 Control of Records
In plain English
"You need a documented procedure to control quality documents in your company. Everyone must have access to up-to-date documents and be aware of how to use them."
Features
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Web-enabled
ViewEASE™ is a Web based documentviewer seamlessly integrated with the Work Instructions module. ViewEASE allows the user to view documentation from any other EASEworks module on demand via Internet Explorer.
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Author using Microsoft Office®
Work Instructions can be authored in Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint. EASEworks controls the application and saves the document to its database. The work instructions are automatically indexed by part numberand operation number and controlled by electronic sign-off. These documents can be converted to .pdf on Part/Op release.
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Integrate Multimedia
Video, graphics, digital photographs and scanned images can be incorporated into the work instruction. Drawings can be panned and zoomed to see the correct aspect of the drawing.
Reference Documents
Documents developed using Microsoft Word; Excel, PowerPoint or Adobe PDF format can be referenced. When a reference document is retrieved it can be viewed or printed but not modified. These documents can include control plans, FMEA, MSDS, job aids, quality alerts etc.
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Release Control
When the work instruction is initially created EASEworks defaults the document as incomplete. When activated, the release control functionality mandates that at least one authorized person from all involved departments approve the work instruction prior to releasing it. If required, a released work instruction can automatically update an ERP system. If required, work instructions can also go though manufacturing change control.
Revision History
EASEworks stores on-line previous revisions of work instructions. These revisions are organized by revision number and date. They can be retrieved, viewed, printed, copied in exactly the same way as current revisions.
Alternate Routings
If more than one routing or manufacturing method can be employed to make a part, EASEworks provides the abilityto create alternate routers. Additionally, alternate operations can be created and individual operations can be toggled on or off as needed.
Tooling
Tooling requirements for each operation can be created and tooling costs incorporated into each operation record.
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Material/Parts List
A material or parts list can be directly entered into EASEworks or the list imported from a Bill of Material file and be allocated to each operation. Existing parts lists in the work instruction can be compared to the BOM and updated.
Ease of Installation
EASEworks is usually installed at the client site by their own in-house IT resource. If required, our technical staff can come to your facility and install the system for you.
User Configuration
With the built-in configuration capability, the system can be highly customized to meet specific needs providing the user with the convenience of a standardized package with the flexibilityof a custom system
Integration
EASEworks is a highly scalable system; it can be used by a single user or by hundreds of users in multiple sites. Integration with existing MRP, ERP and other business systems can normally be accomplished without difficulty.
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