Version 9.4
Version 9.4 of ExtSTAR includes ExtSTAR ShopStation, a new application
specifically for
data presentation and collection right at the press.
- ShopStation
-
Designed to run on a
touchscreen workstation, ShopStation presents all pertinent information for the
current and upcoming jobs. By eliminating manual recording of data plus
transcription of that data into a computer in the office, ShopStation not only
helps achieve paperless operation, but improves the accuracy of data collected
on the shop floor which results in better productivity and profitability
measurements and projections.
The ShopStation screen presents pertinent job information and records
time and other production-related data.
ShopStation is designed for use by production personnel who may
be unskilled in the use of typical office computer applications. By
obtaining all pertinent schedule and job information from the ExtSTAR database,
it eliminates nearly all manual entry of identifying information. Time is
recorded automatically by ShopStation. The press operator simply indicates
when production has started on a job, when production has stopped for some
reason and when a die is changed mid-job. Changes to the screen border
color are used to visibly confirm timing status, and color is also used
extensively to alert operators to items that need attention and to indicate
changes from planned billet attributes or quantities. Large buttons are
used where possible to allow operators to select options and change values by
simply pressing them on the touchscreen rather than using a keyboard.
The Line Items panel is used to enter rough/finished piece quantities and
replan jobs when necessary
ShopStation is tightly integrated with ExtSTAR's scheduling
functions. Changes to the schedule are reflected in ShopStation whenever
a job is completed, or any time the Update button is pressed. It is
designed to collect information from up to three different sources, including
billet quantities run from the press operator, billet attributes such as
heat/cast number from a utility driver and finished piece counts from a
stretcher/saw operator. Once all the pertinent information for a job has
been entered, ShopStation updates the database with that job's production
data. This provides schedulers and supervisors with more timely feedback
about completed jobs than is possible with manual production logs, and alerts
them sooner to short orders and production problems, which helps improve
quality and customer service.
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