At VKS, our software is constantly evolving and pushing the capabilities of smart manufacturing and worker guidance systems.
Our latest version, VKS 6.7, layers in 5 new capabilities that will help you improve efficiency on your shop floor.
The first 2 updates enable manufacturers to boost intelligent and efficient methods within their operations.
Our next 3 updates provide users with greater flexibility and control.
Smarter, Faster, Stronger
Update 1: Mathematical Equations in Smart Forms
Our first update of 6.7 allows users to perform calculations directly within the VKS platform.
When workers need to perform simple or complex mathematical equations, guidebook authors can now pre-program mathematical equations into a VKS Smart Form. This ensures that the right processes and equations are standardized and used consistently.
How does it work?
If a user needs to calculate any value, they simply need to enter the number values into their smart form and VKS will perform the following actions.
- Calculate the final result of the equation.
- Capture the base values and the results of the equation for quality records.
Regardless of how simple an equation can be, mistakes can occur if you’re using multiple systems or moving back and forth with a handheld calculator. Our update ensures that the right information is used, the proper equation is applied, and every value is captured for quality records.
The process is even further streamlined and error-proofed with the use of connected tools.
If the operator is using connected calipers to measure a dimension, the corresponding numbers are automatically sent to VKS. Once all the required values are recorded, VKS then applies the equation and records the result which can later be accessed in the reports section of the interface.
To see the capabilities of this feature in real-life scenarios, let’s review 6 use cases where Mathematical Equations in Smart Forms can help create a more efficient, intelligent, and consistent process.
Use Case 1: Measure/Validate Irregular Shapes
In the case where you need to validate the total length of an irregular shape, taking only one measurement is not an option. Whether using calipers or measuring tape to measure an irregular shape, you need to validate multiple dimensions to know the exact final length.
As you measure the critical dimensions within the smart form, VKS automatically tallies the results while simultaneously validating that the individual and total measurements are within specifications.
Pro Tip: Did you know you can make the above process hands-free for the operator? Simply connect your smart caliper tool to VKS and capture each measurement automatically.
Use Case 2: Paint Volume Calculation
When using a paint booth, the amount of paint will depend on the number of parts and their combined surface area.
In this case, as the user follows their guidebook, they can enter the exact amount of scheduled parts alongside their dimensions if necessary. The form will then automatically calculate how much paint is needed for the subsequent painting procedure.
Once VKS calculates the amount of paint, the operator adds the right amount of paint alongside the corresponding materials to the paint booth.
Use Case 3: Validate Compression Ratio with Volume
Imagine you work for an automotive manufacturer that fabricates hemi pistons. Upon fabrication of each hemi piston, you need to verify the volume of the hemisphere to ensure that the piston will achieve the correct compression ratio.
Fortunately, your guidebook walks you through the precise points to measure, ensuring that you do not overlook any critical dimensions. Using VKS Smart Forms, you begin taking precise measurements and subsequently enter the corresponding values in VKS.
In this case, the programmed equation automatically presents the final calculation for the volume of the hemi piston and determines if the compression ratio is within specifications.
Pro Tip: Guidebook authors can use the VKS Rule Engine to automatically perform specific actions if the measurements are outside the accepted range, including stopping the guidebook, alerting the operator, and/or notifying specific personnel of the issue.
Use Case 4: Averages and the Accepted Range
Use the new mathematical tool to inspect, verify, and track the quality of incoming parts and pieces.
For instance, if you have a shipment of metal pieces with a paint coating, you need to make certain that the film thickness is neither too thick nor too thin. Additionally, you want to know if your supplier is generally on the lower or higher side of the accepted range.
As auditors inspect products, they follow their inspection guidebook to validate all critical criteria, such as film thickness and gloss. In this case, the VKS smart form has been programmed with a Mean calculation to ascertain the average film thickness of each part. Manufacturers can use this Mean data to verify compliance and detect the trends within their supply chain.
Use Case 5: Calculate Unknown Resistance
Imagine your company has been employed to build an electrical circuit with four resistors. The customer has requested that the resistance of all four resistors be tested, verified, and recorded once the circuit is assembled.
However, one of the resistors has an unknown resistance. To find the unknown resistance, operators will need to validate whether the circuit is in a balanced or unbalanced state, take various measurements with a multimeter, and then use the Wheatstone bridge formula to calculate the exact resistance of the last resistor. Since not all operators have a background in complex electrical theory or experience using the formula, errors can occur.
Here is where VKS 6.7 comes into play.
The operator simply needs to enter the corresponding values and the VKS smart form automatically applies the formulas and gives the correct final resistance. This method effectively guarantees that operators follow the proper processes and equations while ensuring that the correct values are recorded.
Use Case 6: Chemical Solution
The new mathematical feature within VKS Smart Forms is also beneficial within process manufacturing. Imagine your company keeps an alkaline degreaser in a series of chemical vats at a concentration too high for consumer use, at a pH of 12.
Prior to bottling, the alkaline degreaser is diluted with water to bring the pH to 9. This process is dependent on two key factors.
- The pH of the concentrated degreaser solution.
- The total amount of liquid that is scheduled to be bottled.
Once these two values are known, it is a quick calculation to determine how much water should be added. The two above values can be entered into the mathematical smart form and then VKS uses the pre-programmed equation to calculate the precise amount of water the operator should add to the solution.
Update 2: Increased API Request Efficiency
Our second update of VKS 6.7 gives manufacturers the ability to send more data with every API call.
With VKS Enterprise, users can connect with their ERP, BI software, and other systems using our API. Among other uses, this intelligent level of connectivity between systems allows companies to send work orders directly from their ERP to VKS, enabling users to receive the benefits of their ERP while interacting with only their work instructions.
VKS 6.7 just made this process a whole lot faster by increasing the capacity of every API call.
In the past, users could only push work orders and operations separately. If you had 1 work order with 10 operations, it would have taken 11 API requests to push the complete series into VKS.
Now, this number is reduced to just 1 API request.
This new update increases the flow of information while enabling your systems to communicate more efficiently.
Increased Flexibility & Control
Update 3: Auto-Pause or Access Multiple Sessions at Once
On the manufacturing floor, control and flexibility are crucial to optimizing your operation. Our third update of VKS 6.7 is another advancement towards these goals.
The Auto-Pause option allows companies to choose whether they want users to be able to access multiple guidebooks on different devices simultaneously.
In the past, if a user signed in on multiple workstations or devices, the first session would be automatically paused. This prevented users from having multiple open sessions on different devices at the same time.
With this in mind, VKS 6.7 allows administrators to choose whether or not they want their guidebooks to pause when users sign in on a new device.
- When selected, an operator can access multiple guidebooks on different devices simultaneously without the guidebook pausing or refusing to let the operator continue. This option can be ideal for companies that do not wish to track their production times within VKS.
- When deselected, if an operator logs into a second guidebook, the first guidebook will pause itself, thereby ensuring time tracking is accurate.
Use Case: Assembly vs. Machining
The auto-pause feature enables flexibility for companies and departments with varying goals and objectives.
Let’s take a brief look at one company with both assembly and machining departments and see how this feature can help both departments achieve their specific goals.
Company 1: Assembly Objectives
- Use VKS for work instructions, quality checks, and productivity tracking.
- Has connected smart tools, and captured data is being sent to the ERP system for traceability purposes.
- Have each user log in individually.
Company 2: Machining Objectives
- Use VKS for standard work, SOPs, training, and periodic quality checks
- Wants users to sign in with one login on multiple devices
The assembly department’s goals are to measure the performance of their shop floor. Within their continuous improvement plan, tracking the cycle times of their employees enables them to set up easy KPIs that measure the success of the operation.
In this case, the assembly department would like to have the option deselected, ensuring that operators can only work at one station at a time while tracking their times.
Pro Tip: Tracking your cycle time also enables you to accurately gauge your takt time as well as fully understand your customers’ lead time.
On the other side, the machining department is less concerned with tracking their cycle times and more concerned with running a lean work environment. Since the CNC machine does the majority of the in-process work, the machinists can work at multiple stations simultaneously to mitigate waiting.
Machinists then follow the work instructions at each machine to perform the proper setup and changeover procedures. Once those actions are accomplished, the machinist moves on to the next machine.
Update 4: Designate Training Requirements In Template Guidebooks
Our final update of 6.7 enables companies to activate training requirements when updating VKS templates.
When a guidebook template is updated, all affected guidebooks are republished with the new information. This process makes updating multiple guidebooks quick and easy. However, in the past, the training requirements for host guidebooks would not be affected by the change.
This meant that if major changes were made to a template, users who were already trained would not get flagged for re-training. When making small changes, re-training was not an issue. But in the case of major changes, it is beneficial to reactive the training requirements in the affected guidebooks.
With VKS 6.7, companies can choose to reactivate the training requirements or maintain the current training status.
Here’s how it works.
When selected, affected guidebooks with a training requirement will be republished and the training requirement reactivated. Operators who were previously considered trained to use the guidebook will no longer be able to use it. To regain access, operators will need to be re-trained or receive a supervisor's approval.
When deselected, the training requirements will remain unaffected by the changes. Operators who were previously considered trained and authorized to use the guidebook will maintain their status and be able to use the new version of the guidebook.
Update 5: Copy/Paste Data Sheets in VKS Text Step
Our final update of 6.7 enhances the authoring interface of Text Steps within VKS. The user interface has been modified with a new sleek style while giving users new capabilities.
Most notably, authors gain the ability to paste tables from Excel or any other spreadsheet editor into a text step while maintaining the column and row formatting. This new capability enhances how text steps are formulated and improved over time.
For example, authors can now copy/paste data tables within guidebooks that require reference spreadsheets for quantity amounts, safety data, textual instructions, and other pertinent information.
- Chemical data sheets
- BOMs (Bill of Materials)
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)
The updated capabilities of VKS text steps are also useful for organizations that previously created their work instructions in Word or Excel. Any pertinent information (lists or data tables) can be easily copied and pasted within the instructions, helping to streamline work instruction creation and improvement.
Pursue Smarter Manufacturing
Here at VKS, we are always striving to help our customers achieve the best practices in manufacturing. That’s why we are constantly improving our software to provide people with a worker guidance system that surpasses the industry norms.
From standardizing intelligent formulas and streamlining connectivity to allowing companies to choose the options that fit their unique business, VKS work instruction software takes smart manufacturing and worker guidance to new heights.
