Component Traceability - Case Study
Identification is important not just for finished assemblies but for individual stages of component manufacture.
Our customer required complete traceability of every stage of the manufacturing process for 2 reasons:
- If rework or scrapping of components was required then improvements could be made to specific processes
- In the event of a product recall, all components affected by the problematic material or process could be located instantly
Pryor provided a range of marking, reading and software systems to track the component from its raw material through to a finished assembly.
The customer needed the solution to not only meet the challenge of providing traceability right through the process, but also to be automated to remove the need for constant attention by a production engineer
David Ray | Technical Director
Overview
- Inkjet alphanumeric code applied to wax pattern of component.
- Cast alphanumeric code read by camera and same data reapplied as large, deep, dot marked Data Matrix code.
- Code is read using Pryor Data Matrix Reading Station at each of 20 manufacturing process step. Time, conditions, machine, operator data are logged against individual components.
- Deep mark is read and same data reapplied as smaller, lighter Data Matrix code. Original deep mark is machined off from final component.
- Data Matrix code recorded at additional 30 manufacturing and finishing process steps.
- Code is read on final part and packaging labels printed by Pryor software with full identification and manufacturing data.
