Visual Knowledge Share Ltd Case Studies Mitsubishi Electric's Smart Factory Transformation with VKS Work Instructions

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	Mitsubishi Electric's Smart Factory Transformation with VKS Work Instructions Visual Knowledge Share Ltd

Mitsubishi Electric's Smart Factory Transformation with VKS Work Instructions

Visual Knowledge Share Ltd

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Applicable Industries	Automotive Buildings
Applicable Functions	Maintenance Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Factory Operations Visibility & Intelligence Visual Quality Detection
Services	System Integration Testing & Certification
Challenge	Mitsubishi Electric, a leading elevator manufacturer, faced a complex challenge when scaling up production for its new MOVE elevator system, designed specifically for the European market. The MOVE elevators were quite different from the standard Japanese model, requiring new assembly processes. The company needed to standardize these processes to ensure high-quality production and maintain its reputation for reliability. However, initial efforts to standardize the shop floor were burdensome for the experienced workers, who were more comfortable with their individual routines. Furthermore, the company lacked a reliable data capturing system that could provide valuable feedback for analysis. The challenge was to implement a system that could streamline the new step-by-step instructions for the MOVE models, capture data for analysis, and be easily accepted by the workforce. Read More
About Customer	Mitsubishi Electric is a leading elevator manufacturer with over 65 years of experience in the Japanese market. The company has recently expanded its customer base to include the demanding European market, catering to various sectors including office and home buildings, hospitality, and healthcare. Mitsubishi Electric is known for its innovative approach to elevator design and manufacturing, focusing on quality, speed, and environmental sustainability. The company's elevators are designed to last 25 to 40 years, depending on the model, and have the lowest breakdown rate in the Netherlands. Mitsubishi Electric was an early adopter of Smart Factory and IoT technology, and its factory in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, is a testament to its commitment to strategic innovation and quality. Read More
Solution	Mitsubishi Electric turned to VKS Enterprise’s digitized work instructions software to standardize their assembly line. The software provided a multifunctional system that streamlined the new step-by-step instructions for the MOVE models. It also allowed workers to physically approve critical steps through interactive forms within the work instructions, providing accountability throughout the shop floor. In case of any errors, they could be immediately traced back to the individual who performed that step. VKS’ Smart Forms feature also increased traceability in the production life cycle. The company also implemented VKS’ ToolConnect feature, which ensured proper assembly by communicating with intelligent torque tools using open protocol. This feature provided a failsafe for quality control and helped to complete a full device history record for each elevator in every batch shipped out. The VKS software not only standardized the production process but also transformed the shop floor into a fully integrated Smart Factory. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)

Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Buildings

Applicable Functions

Maintenance

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Factory Operations Visibility & Intelligence

Visual Quality Detection

Services

System Integration

Testing & Certification

Challenge

Mitsubishi Electric, a leading elevator manufacturer, faced a complex challenge when scaling up production for its new MOVE elevator system, designed specifically for the European market. The MOVE elevators were quite different from the standard Japanese model, requiring new assembly processes. The company needed to standardize these processes to ensure high-quality production and maintain its reputation for reliability. However, initial efforts to standardize the shop floor were burdensome for the experienced workers, who were more comfortable with their individual routines. Furthermore, the company lacked a reliable data capturing system that could provide valuable feedback for analysis. The challenge was to implement a system that could streamline the new step-by-step instructions for the MOVE models, capture data for analysis, and be easily accepted by the workforce.

About Customer

Mitsubishi Electric is a leading elevator manufacturer with over 65 years of experience in the Japanese market. The company has recently expanded its customer base to include the demanding European market, catering to various sectors including office and home buildings, hospitality, and healthcare. Mitsubishi Electric is known for its innovative approach to elevator design and manufacturing, focusing on quality, speed, and environmental sustainability. The company's elevators are designed to last 25 to 40 years, depending on the model, and have the lowest breakdown rate in the Netherlands. Mitsubishi Electric was an early adopter of Smart Factory and IoT technology, and its factory in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, is a testament to its commitment to strategic innovation and quality.

Solution

Mitsubishi Electric turned to VKS Enterprise’s digitized work instructions software to standardize their assembly line. The software provided a multifunctional system that streamlined the new step-by-step instructions for the MOVE models. It also allowed workers to physically approve critical steps through interactive forms within the work instructions, providing accountability throughout the shop floor. In case of any errors, they could be immediately traced back to the individual who performed that step. VKS’ Smart Forms feature also increased traceability in the production life cycle. The company also implemented VKS’ ToolConnect feature, which ensured proper assembly by communicating with intelligent torque tools using open protocol. This feature provided a failsafe for quality control and helped to complete a full device history record for each elevator in every batch shipped out. The VKS software not only standardized the production process but also transformed the shop floor into a fully integrated Smart Factory.

Impact #1	The implementation of VKS Enterprise software has transformed Mitsubishi Electric's shop floor into a fully integrated Smart Factory. The software has not only standardized the production process but also provided a system for capturing valuable data for analysis. This has led to increased accountability and traceability on the shop floor, ensuring high-quality production. The VKS’ ToolConnect feature has also ensured proper assembly and provided a full device history record for each elevator. Despite initial resistance, the workforce has accepted the digital work instructions, finding them easier and faster to use than traditional methods. The company has also seen a decrease in costs and an increase in brand reliability. The transformation has positioned Mitsubishi Electric to handle the future of vertical mobility and continue its path of continuous improvement in manufacturing.

Impact #1

The implementation of VKS Enterprise software has transformed Mitsubishi Electric's shop floor into a fully integrated Smart Factory. The software has not only standardized the production process but also provided a system for capturing valuable data for analysis. This has led to increased accountability and traceability on the shop floor, ensuring high-quality production. The VKS’ ToolConnect feature has also ensured proper assembly and provided a full device history record for each elevator. Despite initial resistance, the workforce has accepted the digital work instructions, finding them easier and faster to use than traditional methods. The company has also seen a decrease in costs and an increase in brand reliability. The transformation has positioned Mitsubishi Electric to handle the future of vertical mobility and continue its path of continuous improvement in manufacturing.

Benefit #1	Mitsubishi Electric's elevators have the lowest breakdown rate in the Netherlands, with an average of 1.0 breakdowns per year, compared to the national average of 3.0.
Benefit #2	The implementation of VKS Enterprise software led to a more efficient system overall from product conception to installation.
Benefit #3	The MOVE elevator system led to a 25% decrease in material usage and an official designation of an 'A' energy level ranking.

Benefit #1

Mitsubishi Electric's elevators have the lowest breakdown rate in the Netherlands, with an average of 1.0 breakdowns per year, compared to the national average of 3.0.

Benefit #2

The implementation of VKS Enterprise software led to a more efficient system overall from product conception to installation.

Benefit #3

The MOVE elevator system led to a 25% decrease in material usage and an official designation of an 'A' energy level ranking.

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Overview

Mitsubishi Electric's Smart Factory Transformation with VKS Work Instructions

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit