Seven steps to autonomous maintenance
Even if the availability of spare parts has improved in the meantime: The sharp rise in prices continues to weigh on the industry. And there is no relief in sight when it comes to skilled workers either. This is where autonomous maintenance comes into play. The provider of the connected worker platform Augmentir explains what this concept is all about and how industrial companies can use it to their advantage.
Machine operators care for and maintain the equipment they work with every day themselves to prevent breakdowns and repairs from occurring in the first place. If irregularities occur, the operators notice them first. After all, they know the machine like no one else. So it's only natural to assign them basic maintenance tasks. This not only benefits overall plant efficiency. It also reduces the cost of outside labor and spare parts, and gives workers more personal responsibility. However, for this process to succeed, workers must be guided and supported - ideally with the help of digital tools. Solution provider Augmentir lists seven steps for successful entry into autonomous maintenance.
1. start small
To introduce operators to maintenance, tasks such as cleaning equipment or replacing simple wear and spare parts are suitable. Companies should provide their employees with detailed step-by-step instructions. Connected worker tools, which guide employees through the tasks via cell phone, tablet or data glasses at the workplace, are particularly suitable for this purpose. If they have any questions, machine operators can get help from experts and supervisors directly from the app.
2. facilitate search for causes
When cleaning, employees should also pay attention to the causes of contamination and, if possible, eliminate them immediately or at least contain them. If companies use Connected Worker tools, causes and measures can be recorded directly in the app and saved in a knowledge database. In this way, colleagues also benefit from the insights gained. This is a big plus in view of employee turnover and the shortage of skilled workers.
3. set standards
The next step is to use the collected knowledge to further improve the digital checklists. AI-supported systems provide suggestions for this. To ensure consistent work practices, companies should also regularly define and review which activities operators perform, how and how often. Modern production companies document these standards in electronic SOPs - a central building block for fully functional plants in top condition.
4. Deepen expertise
The advantage of digital tools is that operators are not only supported while working, but also trained - almost incidentally. For example, through on-the-job training via video or image-rich lessons that are understandable even without language skills. Connected Worker tools thus help to deepen and supplement job-specific knowledge.
To prevent well-trained machine operators from working quickly due to too much detail, modern connected work suites dynamically adapt instructions to the employees' level of knowledge. Artificial intelligence (AI) recognizes the user who needs more or less assistance.
5. strengthen personal responsibility
Thanks to digital work instructions, machine operators can perform their tasks independently, safely and with optimum quality. Maintenance and service technicians are greatly relieved, as they only need to be called in for more complex cases. Machine operators take more responsibility for their equipment, as they no longer have to rely on others. This reduces the risk of equipment continuing to run until it is damaged, despite recognizable defects.
6. design working environment intuitively
The more intuitive the working environment, the easier it is to implement autonomous maintenance. Above all, visual assistance helps employees understand how machines work and comply with regulations. The use of augmented reality by means of tablets or data glasses offers additional support here, as queries can be clarified in a direct chat with an expert.
7. data treasure lift
The increasing digital networking of skilled workers and workers provides companies with valuable operational data. Starting with feedback on work steps that have been carried out, for example during logout/tagout, through error documentation to insights into work execution.
Autonomous maintenance offers clear benefits such as increased overall plant effectiveness, reduced costs and increased employee autonomy. By using connected-worker tools, manufacturing companies can easily and safely involve machine operators in maintenance, which leads to the relief of their maintenance experts. "Operators expand their skills and their job is upgraded. Most importantly, the increased responsibility makes them feel more valued and more connected to their employer," emphasizes Carsten Hunfeld, Director EMEA at Augmentir. "This is an important aspect in counteracting employee turnover and a shortage of skilled workers," Hunfeld continues.
Source: www.augmentir.com
