Where are my work tools? This is a recurring question among maintenance and production professionals. Not surprisingly, it is estimated that 15% of the industry's tooling expenditure is due to forgetfulness and loss of tools. Can you imagine the money it costs in materials, lost productivity and re-stocking efforts?
Sometimes, this cost is irrelevant in the face of other risks: A simple 10 euro screwdriver forgotten in the engine of an airplane, or a drill bit lost inside a cogeneration turbine during a maintenance shutdown, or a hammer forgotten on a gangway six meters above the ground? These are oversights that can easily lead to hundreds of thousands of euros in losses and even personal injury.
The most critical industries (aerospace, nuclear, power generation, medical, etc.) usually have strict regulations in relation to specific areas classified as FOD area (Foreign Object Danger) or FME area (Foreign Materials Exclusion). The methods for compliance are often subject to improvement, as protocols and the manual measures of checking and rechecking after each shift leave room for human error.
At EPIDOR Technical Distribution we have developed different work tool control solutions adapted to the needs of each industry and customer, within our systems portfolio [IMS] (Inventory Management Systems).
This range of tool control solutions extends from the simplest and most cost-effective systems (based on order and visual inspection) to the most sophisticated and cost-effective systems (based on RFiD systems The most sophisticated systems allow full traceability of what, who, where and when a tool or any other item has been used.
Chip with RFiD technology in the working tools
It is possible thanks to the RFiD technology. We identify each tool by means of a chip so that all movements are recorded. We automatically link the operator, the tool and even the work order, so that even the lack of a simple screwdriver blocks the work piece.
Pre-project analysis is a fundamental aspect:
- We identify the problems.
- We specify the areas for improvement.
- We set common objectives to achieve the total control of work tools.
Our objective is to provide We use the best resources and our many years of experience to further develop the technology and adapt it to the customer's needs. We train the technicians involved so that they can adapt naturally to the new methodologies.
In order for the investment to be effective and with a quick return, it is essential to have an partner to advise you correctly about the solutions with a cost adequate to your needs.
Are you wondering what investment is required for a tool control effective? Logically, it depends on the control needs, the number of items to be controlled, the traceability we need to maintain and whether we work with FOD or FME areas. But the most important thing is to have the right partner to advise you correctly if a simple solution (a few hundred euros) will be enough, or if, on the contrary, more extensive and technically complex solutions are needed.
You can rely on the expertise of EPIDOR Technical Distribution as a partner to manage item control solutions, including turnkey RFiD implementations. There are multiple applications that can be very useful and efficient in your company, contact with us .
