Work Applications
Gerber Cutter
Production machinery can often come with a database to record processes. I worked on a Gerber cutting machine that recorded cuttings times in a SQL Server database and was tasked with calculating how efficiently the machine was being used, this was done using a recordset to record the previous date/time finish cutting and deducting it from the current date/time start cutting. These accumulated (rest) times could then be compared against the actual cuttings times to produce a Work Efficiency Chart, these (rest) times were also incorporated into a histogram to show how often certain ranges of times were occurring.
The operators of the Gerber were required to record each cutting with a barcode to help keep track of stock usage, to achieve this I created an input form that could reconcile each cutting against a table of required cuttings. By searching for a part number and then double clicking that row the information is automatically populated into the form with minimal effort and maximum accuracy. Data recorded from this input form was generated into an Excel linked chart to provide intuitive information.
Production machinery can often come with a database to record processes. I worked on a Gerber cutting machine that recorded cuttings times in a SQL Server database and was tasked with calculating how efficiently the machine was being used, this was done using a recordset to record the previous date/time finish cutting and deducting it from the current date/time start cutting. These accumulated (rest) times could then be compared against the actual cuttings times to produce a Work Efficiency Chart, these (rest) times were also incorporated into a histogram to show how often certain ranges of times were occurring.
The operators of the Gerber were required to record each cutting with a barcode to help keep track of stock usage, to achieve this I created an input form that could reconcile each cutting against a table of required cuttings. By searching for a part number and then double clicking that row the information is automatically populated into the form with minimal effort and maximum accuracy. Data recorded from this input form was generated into an Excel linked chart to provide intuitive information.
Barcode Counter
The needs of customers can sometimes require strict guidelines to ensure the correct finished products are packed and correctly counted, failure to do so can disrupt a customers own production line and may result in loss of confidence and even fines. To help alleviate this issue I created a Counter that could correctly identify a part and account for it. This was to done by having each part inspected by placing in a jig which would only fit certain products, the jig would firstly have it's own barcode scanned which would allow the user to select from a limited list of parts. Once the first part has it's own barcode scanned it would ensure that the part was correct for the jig and also ensure that subsequent parts were exactly the same until the box was full with the correct number of parts, each time a part is scanned a pop-up form will briefly display information about the part to inform the user the part is recognised. The counter itself uses two different methods of counting to ensure the correct amount is being displayed.
This set up is designed for the user to have as little disruption as possible to their work, they will only be required to attend the keyboard when they either start a new batch, continue a batch, suspend a batch, finish a batch and whenever any parts are either not recognised or are incorrect they will be prompted to inform an Administrator. When a batch is complete it will print a label for them and if a batch is suspended the user is prompted to print information about the batch so that it can be continued at a later time. Also included is an Administrator option, this password protected area will allow an elevated user to reprint or even delete a batch if necessary.
In addition to recording the count and integrity of the parts scanned the application can also record the time of each scan enabling the rate of production to be collected..
This set up is designed for the user to have as little disruption as possible to their work, they will only be required to attend the keyboard when they either start a new batch, continue a batch, suspend a batch, finish a batch and whenever any parts are either not recognised or are incorrect they will be prompted to inform an Administrator. When a batch is complete it will print a label for them and if a batch is suspended the user is prompted to print information about the batch so that it can be continued at a later time. Also included is an Administrator option, this password protected area will allow an elevated user to reprint or even delete a batch if necessary.
In addition to recording the count and integrity of the parts scanned the application can also record the time of each scan enabling the rate of production to be collected..
QR Barcode
There was an overwhelming need to update the current linear barcode to one that could accept more data within a smaller space as the current barcode took up far too much room and was prone to being unreadable due to wear and tear. An Excel spreadsheet was found on the internet that could produce QR Barcodes for any given input and under a joint effort with another developer was able to transfer and manipulate this QR Barcode onto an Access report and which could even be stored as an OLEobject within the database. As you can see this barcode is much smaller, more manageable and can be duplicated multiple times.