The right color on each part process optimization in the paint shop at AGCO

Background

Coating metal is a special task. At the Asbach-Bäumenheim plant in Bavaria, the components of all of the six German AGCO locations are being painted. They are delivered from both internal and external production.

To feed the powder coating plant, the production workers hang the components, onto racks in front of the plant. These are then driven into the plant. The paint-spray line is adjusted according to the number of parts and the desired color. In the past, the workers had to count the parts and enter the number and color manually.

Challenges

Mixing several colors or using a wrong color code leads to missing parts. Powder and wet lacquers must not be confused. In addition, deficient quantities due to counting errors lead to false data in the shipping documents. This can result in incorrect delivery quantities to the other AGCO branches. This leads to increased administrative expenses and reworking.

Solution

With TeamViewer xPick and smart glasses such as the Glass Enterprise Edition, the Vuzix M300 as well as the wrist-worn computer Hyco W562, the corresponding order and quantity are now scanned and visualized as soon as the parts are received.

The external scanner is connected to the smart glasses via Bluetooth. The wearables themselves can be operated by voice control. Via an interface created by TeamViewer the data is then transferred to the company’s own “FendtView” plant control system. 

The program number and color are checked for contradictions in order to prevent possible errors such as mixing two colors in one painting process. In addition, quantities are transferred to the MES system through an interface.