MacDonald Humfrey Teams with Ubisense on Precise Real-time

Tag : Fixed Wireless Terminal

In a car manufacturing facility, different variants of a model areoften produced sequentially as they are ordered. Each individualcar moving along a production line therefore may require adifferent work order at each assembly point. Traditionally, thespecific car had to be identified by the worker at the assemblypoint either by entering data into a terminal or scanning abarcode. If an error occurs during this identification process, thewrong work order will be loaded and a manufacturing defect createdwhich has to be detected during quality assurance and correctedduring the finishing phase at some expense.

If Ubisense tags are fixed to the vehicles and the tool used by theworker, then the Ubisense system can detect and identify the car asthe worker approaches it with the tool and initiate the loading ofthe correct work order without any manual intervention or risk oferror by the worker.

The new integrated system combines Ubisense's RTLS with the keysystems for a lean manufacturing environment, including Kanban,Pick-to-Light, and error-proofing, as well as FLT tracking forsupply chain and line-side replenishment.

"During the last twenty years of using different forms ofidentification and location technology in the Automotive field wehave been looking for a technology that will work reliably andprecisely in the challenging environments of our customers. Finallywe have found that technology in Ubisense precise RTLS", says MickMacDonald, CEO of MacDonald Humfrey. "Those customers using theUbisense Solution are achieving rapid ROI and unprecedented qualityimprovements, making the product unique in the manufacturingprocess applications that these customers demand."

Simon Holloway, independent manufacturing analyst, says"Integration of Real-time Location Systems with ManufacturingExecution Systems has been talked about by many vendors butdelivery of reliable location and identification has not beenpossible in the past. The number of installations of the UbisenseRTLS is testament to the system's performance in mission criticalapplications."

Based in UK, Ubisense is the market leading vendor of precise RTLS(Real-time Location Systems) based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB)technology. The growth of MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Limited has given riseto a wealth of experience and talent in the field of technicalautomation and control technology.

With an extensive portfolio of blue chip companies employing theirdesigns and innovations they are proud of their success inachieving optimum solutions which are mindful of the current andfuture needs of their clients while anticipating future technicaland economic developments within the industries they serve. Clientsinclude Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, GM and Ford.