Improved Profitability Due to Less Downtime

Realizing quick recovery from problems

Production worksites contain a large number of devices including machine vision, image processing systems, PLCs, servo motors, and industrial robots. Realistically, it is not possible to set up a system for understanding and supporting all these devices just with the personnel within your company. To recover from problems quickly and minimize loss, it is important to find partners who can perform maintenance quickly and who can respond to operation problems.

Point 01 Specialized knowledge of image processing

Image processing requires specialized knowledge. Furthermore, cases in which various types of devices are linked together (not used independently) are the norm. Hence, not only is knowledge of image processing required but so is knowledge of other items including knowledge of hardware such as external devices and connections, knowledge of the image processing that processes the information of the captured images, and knowledge of the PLCs that handle this information. When requesting support from a company, the key concept is whether they have engineers who specialize in image processing or not.

Point 02 Quick repairs and the availability of replacement devices

When a problem causes your production line to stop, not only does your production burst size fall to zero, but major changes need to be made to your production schedule in order to recover the delay in production. This results in losses attributable to factors such as labor costs and utility costs corresponding to the changed schedule. Hence, recovering from problems even 1 minute or 1 second faster is very important. There are also cases where repairs are difficult and it is necessary to ship or replace a replacement device immediately. In this situation, the key point is whether or not the company has devices in stock and can respond to such requirements immediately.

Point 03 Global support system

The globalization of manufacturing has progressed in recent years. It is not rare to only assemble products domestically, with parts being manufactured overseas. One example case is purchasing inspection devices domestically and exporting them to overseas factories. In situations such as this, devices can be repaired and replacements can be requested smoothly so long as the manufacturer also has overseas facilities. Hence, overseas local support is also important for companies that are expanding all over the world.

Have you ever experienced any of the following problems?

Have you ever experienced any of the following problems while using image processing systems?

Domestic and overseas support provided by engineers who specialize in image processing

At KEYENCE, we have established a system that can provide quick support by placing engineers who specialize in image processing to domestic and overseas locations in order to respond to comments from our customers like those listed above. After a product is purchased, we not only explain how to operate it and provide seminars and after-sales support, but we also promptly ship replacement devices as necessary. Our support system covers the entirety of Japan. Furthermore, by establishing facilities around the world starting with the over 30 facilities in our North and Central America network and also including countries in Europe, China, Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa, we have realized a support system that is equivalent to our domestic one.

• Domestic facilities
• Overseas facilities

We aim to solve problems quickly by having specialized technical representatives follow up on problems not only related to machine vision and image processing systems but peripheral equipment such as lighting and lenses as well. Another one of KEYENCE's characteristics is our insistence to sell directly to our customers without going through distributors. Because all our products are in stock, we can ship products as soon as they are requested from a customer. Products can be shipped immediately to locations within Japan and overseas. This minimizes losses attributable to problems and thereby contributes to improved profitability.

• Facility support system

Example of improved profitability through quick recovery from problems

KEYENCE has realized a system that has global support provided by technical representatives who specialize in image processing and the ability to promptly ship products globally. As such, we can immediately respond to inquiries and, if necessary, immediately ship replacements all over the world. The following formula can be used to calculate the profitability improvement obtained through quick recovery from problems, so feel free to use this formula if you are considering introducing an image processing system.

Profitability improvement calculation

Production volume × Unit price × Difference in time required for troubleshooting ＝ Profit improvement effect

【①】products/time × $【②】 × 【③】hours ＝ $【  】of avoided loss

Calculation example

A problem occurs on a production line having a productivity of 1,000 products per hour (with each product having a unit cost of $1). It would normally take 3 days to recover from this problem, but calculate the loss recovery amount assuming that a replacement device can be delivered on the same day that the problem occurs. Assuming that the operation time for a day is 8 hours, 3 days of down time would be 24 hours. However, if the down time is only a single day, the time is 8 hours, which results in a difference in lengths of time required for recovery of 16 hours.

1,000 items/hour x $1 x 16 hours = loss recovery of $16,000

The loss recovery is $16,000 and the recovery period is shortened by 2 days!