top of page

Smart Factory

Introduction

Many individuals, especially young adults, struggle with personal finances, causing them a lot of stress and financial insecurity. Despite the availability of financial tools in the market, they are not able to achieve their financial goals. The absence of a holistic and user-friendly financial planning platform that can assist in tracking and managing progress toward a goal, adjusting to changing circumstances, and assisting in achieving financial objectives. We are working towards designing a customized financial goal planner app that provides a visual representation of their progress and prioritizing the goals according to their needs and requirements to accomplish them.

Goals

Use design thinking to implement strategies that can be implemented to streamline logistics

Balance automation on a shop floor with human involvement to avoid over-reliance on technology

To minimize production disruptions in smart factories

Scope of Research

Research Question

What strategies can be implemented to streamline logistics for ordering parts and submitting maintenance requests to minimize production disruptions in smart factories with the shop floor operator?

Research Plan

Interview Guide
Interview Summary

We conducted 8 interviews with different stakeholders across four different manufacturing locations of various factories, each ranging between 30-45 minutes.

According to the research, when machines collapse, workers experience significant downtime, resulting in frustration and loss of productivity. Urgent fixes are not always given the attention they deserve, and there is a strong desire for a more efficient system that can reduce downtime and help workers return to work as soon as possible. These sentiments are shared by manufacturing employees who believe that machine malfunctions are a major inconvenience and that a more efficient method of getting everything done around the factory must be developed. Workers emphasize the monetary impact of downtime, claiming that they lose money every minute they are not producing and fall behind on their production schedule as a result.

Moreover, if necessary parts are not available, repairs can be significantly delayed, resulting in longer periods of downtime. To reduce these costs, organizations must streamline their inventory management processes by accurately forecasting demand, establishing appropriate safety stock levels, and implementing effective replenishment systems. This can lead to lower inventory costs and increased profits. Project managers emphasize the importance of real-time tracking and efficient inventory systems for quickly ordering any parts needed to repair machines. They also stress the importance of having a plan in place for when the machinery fails.

Quotes from Users

"The inefficiencies or bottlenecks are mostly in the processing stage, where we experience frequent breakdowns of machinery, leading to delays in production and a backlog of orders."

 

"Our manufacturing facilities are located in an industrial area outside the city. One of the specific environmental factors that affect our productivity is the high temperature and humidity in the factory during the summer months, which can lead to dehydration and fatigue among the workers."

 

"Workers typically experience the most significant productivity challenges during the summer months when the temperature and humidity are high, leading to fatigue and dehydration."

 

"Workers can be trained to use new technologies and equipment safely and effectively through comprehensive training programs that include hands-on experience and simulations."

 

"Additionally, training manuals, instructional videos, and one-on-one coaching can help workers gain the necessary skills to work with new technologies and equipment."

Affinity Mapping
Affinity SF.PNG

User Personas

The users of this goal-based financial application can be anyone who is looking to improve their financial situation, regardless of their current financial status, age, or income level. This can include individuals who are just starting to think about their finances, those who are looking to get their finances in order, those who are working towards specific financial goals such as saving for retirement or buying a house, and those who are seeking support and guidance as they navigate the complexities of personal finance.

Pain Points

Uncertainties in addressing the issue of automation in the factory include the necessary skill sets and training for workers, the degree of implementation, and the cost and feasibility of redesigning the human-computer interface. Adaptation to new technology and unintended consequences are also unknown factors.

Automation without human involvement can lead to inflexibility, maintenance issues, and safety concerns, resulting in costly downtime, lower productivity, and morale. Proper worker training and involvement is crucial for efficient and safe operation.

Maintaining machinery in a smart factory with only one operator is highly human-centered and impacts the operator's wellbeing and productivity, highlighting the need for strategies that prioritize their physical and mental health, as well as efficient maintenance and repair logistics.

Data sources for addressing maintenance scheduling and communication issues in manufacturing include previous company work, worker feedback, machine breakdown/downtime data, and best practices/research on successful automation implementations.

bottom of page