Supply Chain / Logistics

When you need to move supplies from a central storage location to an individual work cell, Bossard can help with Last Mile Management and autonomous mobile robots. This solution saves time with your material flow by relying on paperless and intuitive instructions, shorter paths, and full transparency when replenishing supplies.

How Last Mile Management Works

Bossard implements Last Mile Management with autonomous mobile robots as follows:

1. The work cell demands materials either automatically or because someone makes a request using a mobile device or desktop system.
2. ARIMS, which is Bossard’s inventory management software, receives the request and adds it to the digital picking list.
3. Use the digital picking list to locate and pick the material at the warehouse, supermarket, or other central storage location.
4. After placing the needed materials in an autonomous mobile robot, it receives a route plan to replenish the work cell. To complete the delivery of materials, the robot then goes to the work cell automatically using an optimized and paperless path, which saves time. Other than possibly moving materials to and from the robot, no human intervention is necessary.

Benefits

Last Mile Management with autonomous mobile robots offers the following benefits:

• Fewer movements in internal logistics because of the optimized material flow.
• Real-time and transparent data on how much and what types of material usage at each work cell. Analysis of the data can occur at any time.
• Improved efficiency because of nearly instantaneous order placement and shorter deliveries that are semi-automated.
• The use of autonomous mobile robots can distribute the storage area and work cells anywhere that the robots can reach. This allows for flexibility when configuring assembly and work areas.

Want to know more about how Last Mile Management can improve your material flow with autonomous mobile robots? Please contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Are you looking for a better way to manage your inventory, so that you can simplify administration, enhance visibility, maximize control, and reduce costs? The Supplier Consolidation Solution by Bossard may be your reliable, efficient, and seamless answer. It gives your business the following eight benefits.

1. A leaner process with more efficient procurement. By monitoring stock levels with full or partial automation, they can trigger replenishment orders automatically. This minimizes the procurement steps and can reduce or eliminate employee effort to produce a leaner process.

2. Significant reduction of administrative effort. Human involvement and record-keeping become unnecessary when supply orders are automatically generated, sent to a supplier or proposed to your ERP, and shipped.

3. Higher delivery performance and reliability. The use of smart systems reduces errors, saves time, and eliminates wasted effort, resulting in greater reliability and better performance.

4. Reduced inventory. Automatically tracking stock levels, replenishment orders, and deliveries let you work with lower inventory levels. You won’t have to devote space to storing extra inventory just because you may need them sometime.

5. Increased efficiency. You minimize the transactions and time needed to track, identify, order, and ship needed supplies, which makes for a more efficient process.

6. More time to focus on core activities. By spending less time managing your inventory, you can focus more of your time on the core activities of running your business and increasing productivity.

7. Highest supply guarantee. Using an automated inventory management solution virtually guarantees that you’ll have the correct supplies with the highest quality available when you need it.

8. Reduction in the cost of ownership. All these time-saving strategies and efficient transactions lessen capital commitment and lower process costs. This leads to a lower Total Cost of Ownership, which enhances your profitability.

If you have any questions about the Supplier Consolidation Solution and how we can implement it for your enterprise, please contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Among the many factors responsible for your success are increasing your productivity and reducing your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Bossard Smart Factory Logistics Systems help you achieve both by taking care of your B- and C-parts management.

Do you want to implement just-in-time inventory at your facility? Our systems and solutions are perfect for getting what you need exactly when you need it. They’re listed below from most conventional to most advanced.

Conventional

The following logistics systems bring the C-parts you need to the right place at the right time:

Bossard Code puts a bar code on a bin that contains regularly used items. When the number of items falls below a minimum level, you can record the item information and wirelessly send a refill order for the items.

Bossard 2bin relies on two bins filled with parts and placed one in front of the other. When the first bin is empty, it moves to the rear. Bossard then picks up and refills the bin at regular intervals. In the meantime, the second bin, which is still full, moves to the front.

SmartCard

The Bossard SmartCard combines the original Kanban card with RFID technology. This makes it easy to fit into any kind of production process. Once an item is out of stock, an employee puts the RFID Kanban card into an electronic mailbox, which then transmits the refill request to Bossard.

SmartLocker

Store your most valuable items and consumables in the Bossard SmartLocker. SmartLocker is an intelligent and fully automated inventory control system. Only those with the correct RFID codes can access the high-value items. When supplies run low, the SmartLocker informs you via ARIMS, the Interactive Supply Chain Platform of Bossard.

SmartBin

Because it integrates a weight sensor, the SmartBin continuously transmits its current inventory levels. Bossard can then automatically deliver refills based on this information. Three versions are available:

• SmartBin Classic works with centralized and decentralized Kanban pools.
• SmartBin Mobile relies on mobile trolleys that contain wireless communication and battery power so that you can roll the collection of C-parts to the necessary location.
• SmartBin Flex packs all the technology into a self-contained bin. You can then put this bin wherever you need it, even at the point of use.

SmartLabel Cloud

By attaching SmartLabel Cloud to any container in your warehouse, you can avoid disrupting your existing infrastructure while upgrading B- and C-part management. SmartLabel Cloud shows you the product image, important product information, real-time order status, and delivery date. When users need to order replacements, all they must do is push a button.

SmartBin Cloud

SmartBin Cloud is the newest supply chain technology from Bossard. It combines our proven SmartBin system with our latest SmartLabel technology, SmartLabel Cloud.

SmartBin Cloud updates your stock and order information instantly using a motion-triggered weight sensor. Anytime your bin is picked or refilled, your data is updated. It also uses IIoT communication so integration into your factory is seamless.

To see how Bossard’s Smart Factory Logistics can improve your productivity, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com today.

Calculate the total cost of ownership at your organization – use our TCO calculator to see what your potential savings could be!

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With ARIMS Mobile, you can put all the functions of our interactive supply chain platform into the palm of your hand. This will free you from having to run to your desk every time you need to access logistics information. Instead, you’ll be able to track your orders, manage inventory, access smart analytics, and get a holistic overview of your B- and C-part management from your smartphone, tablet, or another portable device.

The app is available on Android and iOS devices and gives you full control even when you’re on the production floor. Because ARIMS is cloud-based, the mobile version integrates with the platform you have on your desktop and with the information supplied by other ARIMS Mobile users at your location.

App Advantages

Among the many advantages of this app are the following:

• Customize system parameters, so that they fit the way your enterprise operates. The interface is easy and intuitive, so you spend your time entering or accessing information, rather than trying to figure out how everything works.
• Access all your supplier information in a single streamlined supplier base.
• Scan or enter data at the point of delivery, storage, or use.
• Get real-time status of your deliveries or inventory wherever you are at your facility. Because this app integrates with your Enterprise Resource Planning System, the inventory revealed by ARIMS mobile matches your physical stock.
• Locate inventory items faster than ever by using the most advanced NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology.
• Manage how materials and information flow for your global inventory by putting shop intelligence and logistics in your pocket.
• Improve efficiency and predictability by accessing data at the point of use.
• Submit change requests as soon as you discover a need and look at current and past changes.
• Expedite the implementation of Industry 4.0 at your facility by implementing communications from machine to machine (M2M).

Want to know more about how ARIMS mobile can make your supply chain more efficient? Contact us today at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com to learn more.

Taking Supply Chain Management to The Next Level

Managing your business is not easy. With more competition on the scene than ever thanks to e-commerce, you must focus on your supply chain. If there are issues with your ability to get the supplies that you need, it can make it harder to meet deadlines and get everything in front of your clients when they demand it. At Bossard, we offer the supply chain management services that you need.

Supply Chain Management

There are challenges when it comes to supply chain management. This is where it’s critical to know what they are so that you can overcome them.

The most common problems include:

• Higher costs
• Materials wasted
• Production errors
• Changing market demands
• Global client base
• New technologies

None of these must be a showstopper for you. Instead, it’s about choosing the right distributor to work with. Many of the problems that you deal with can be overcome by working with Bossard.

We stand out from our competitors. What makes us unique?

• 53 service locations
• 25 warehouses
• 10 application engineering labs

This allows us to focus on providing a lower total cost of ownership to you while being able to increase your productivity. We’re capable of meeting the deadlines that you have, which is why we’re across the globe. When you’re expanding your business to offer global manufacturing, we can support your global supply chain management needs.

Stay Up on the Trends

The trends happening within your industry are of the utmost importance. You may have issues such as globalization, localization, or new technology fighting to affect your operations. We can make shifts to accommodate you. Further, our end-to-end visibility allows you to see when you’re going to get what you need.

At Bossard, we provide seamless order management to ensure that we can produce what you need when you need it – and get it to you wherever you are. Supply base consolidation is our specialty and we look forward to partnering with you. Contact us right now at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com to learn more.

How materials flow through your supply chain is critical to the productivity and profits of your enterprise. The key to getting a handle on this process is having accurate information. ARIMS, our interactive supply chain platform, lets you manage your orders and inventory with an intuitive interface. With it, you can:

• Merge all your suppliers into a more streamlined supplier base.
• Integrate with your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system so the inventory recorded in your systems matches your physical stock.
• Coordinate the flow of materials and information for your global inventory.
• Improve predictability and efficiency by accessing your data at the point of use, such as through a smartphone.
• Analyze big data about your supply chain in real time and make changes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Bring Industry 4.0 into your factory by implementing machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.

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ARIMS rewards you with these benefits by providing the following functions for managing B- and C-parts:

• ARIMS Analytics reveals your articles, locations, orders, and deliveries using reports and graphs. Users are also able to export this information. This function relies on big data to deliver real-time data, allowing you to look at how your production is doing at any time.
• ARIMS Interactive lets you optimize your production by adjusting assembly lines. You can submit changes and view your current and past change requests. Customize your dashboard and system options to fit the way your enterprise operates.
• ARIMS Mobile enables complete access through Android and iOS devices such as smartphones and tablets. Even if you’re on the production floor, you can locate articles and check orders in real time.

Do you want more information about how ARIMs can improve your supply chain? Please contact Bossard today at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com for a demonstration.

It may be surprising to learn that only 15 percent of the total cost of a fastener comes from itself. The remaining 85 percent stems from other activities like procurement, logistics, and assembly prep. So, if you’re looking to reduce costs by examining your fasteners, you need to reduce the number of different ones that you use.

Helping you define what fasteners to rely on is the core of Expert Assortment Analysis. It assists you in determining head shapes, recess types, materials, property classes, platings, and dimensions. When utilizing this method, there are many advantages:

• Cut unnecessary elements by looking for similarities and substituting when possible.
• Reduce the complexities of purchasing, warehousing, and assembly by defining the fastener assortment from which you can pick.
• Increase productivity, which improves profitability.

You can choose from three service packages:

• Basic analyzes your entire production line to look at the assembly tech, such as fasteners, the assembly processes, and tooling. It then estimates cost savings based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles and presents proposals on what you can do.
• Advanced includes Basic services but adds Technical Verification to verify that the proposed technical improvements will work with your processes. We also create a bill of fastener materials in drawings. These are all presented in a report to you that includes physical samples.
• Superior builds on Basic and Advanced by developing an implementation plan. We create a project team and define priorities. We then support a Research and Development engineering team that implements the plan. Finally, we conduct training for your employees both at our facilities and at your location.

If you want to know more about how this service can improve your company’s bottom line, please contact Bossard today at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com. Expert Assortment Analysis is one of the many services we deliver, which can include Expert Education, Expert Teardown, and Expert Walk. We’re here to serve you.

You are on a deadline. You have two weeks to produce 500 more units to meet your customer’s expectations at a rate of 50 per day so you should be in good shape. Suddenly, you have a problem. Bolts are stretching and breaking on the assembly line. What do you do now?

Your checklist should look something like the following, in order:

1. Verify that the correct torque settings are being used – 120Nm ok
2. Verify the torque wrench – calibration ok
3. Check fastener property class head marking – class 10.9 ok
4. Check for any signs of lubrication which could have gotten into the threads or under the rotating bearing surface – ok
5. Check the core hardness of the bolts – HRC 32-39 ok
6. Consult your fastener supplier for a joint analysis

Real Life Assembly Solutions

This exact case happened to a Bossard engineer. After checking the screws to ensure that they met specifications for hardness, the obvious recommendation was to lower the torque. But by how much? How can we ensure enough clamp load to keep the joint tight?

In this case, the design engineer had determined a minimum clamp load requirement of 30kN for a safe joint. Since the recommended torque was causing the bolts to stretch, we performed a test to determine how much torque was necessary to tighten the joint.

By performing a torque/tension test on the joint, we were able to determine that the painted surface under the flange nut had much lower friction than predicted. This caused much higher clamp loads using the recommended torque of 120Nm.

Graph comparing clamp load with a painted surface, and a bare steel surface:

Typical data from the joint analysis:

• MA = torque
• FV = clamp load
• µ coef = total coefficient of friction

More testing was necessary to determine at what torque yielding would occur. In the worst case, yielding occurred at 61kN clamp force, which is higher than the minimum 30kN requirement.

The joint analysis pointed out the issue and the recommendation was to lower the torque to 110Nm to stay above the minimum clamp load and below the yield point of the screws to avoid stretching and stopping the line. Problem solved!

If you find yourself in need of joint analysis, check out Bossard’s latest Assembly Technology Expert services, especially the Expert Test Services pillar, or by contacting us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Doug Jones
Applications Engineer
djones@bossard.com

Besides finding hidden cost savings in your bill of materials with Bossard’s Expert Assortment Analysis, there may also be opportunities in your design and assembly. Let’s look at an actual example found by Bossard engineers working with an electric lamp manufacturer:

Fastener Cost Breakdown 

Even though the proposed screw itself is more than three times the cost, you can save money by eliminating other fasteners and costly assembly operations as detailed below:

If you have any interest in finding hidden cost savings in your design, check out Bossard’s latest Assembly Technology Expert services, especially the Expert Walk pillar, or contact us directly at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Doug Jones
Applications Engineer
djones@bossard.com

Industry 4.0 is already here, and with technology improving by the minute, factories must apply lean manufacturing principles to stay competitive. Our innovative Smart Factory Logistics systems bring the Internet of Things to your manufacturing floor and bring M2M communication to life.

SmartBin, SmartLabel Cloud, SmartCard, Bossard Code, and Bossard 2Bin will bring your vision of an agile, lean, and reliable process to reality. With real-time information and traditional Kanban systems, Bossard’s Smart Factory Logistics methodology will optimize your inventory management. With procurement work processes truly optimized, your company will be able to use more of its time and resources to create added value for its customers!

Smart Factory Logistics Systems

How much time do you and your team spend sourcing and order C-parts, replenishing your stock, and managing your procurement process? Now imagine having all this time to truly create value for your customers!

With our systems, your vision of an agile, lean, and reliable process becomes a reality. We analyze your operation to help you find the perfect fit. From the fully automated and flexible SmartBin to the informative SmartLabel Cloud with real-time information, to traditional Kanban systems, we optimize your C-part management.

• Automate the supply of various materials with the flexible sensor monitor technology of SmartBin.
• Upgrade your existing infrastructure for orders, product details, and real-time order information.
• A combination of the original Kanban card and RFID technology.
• Ordering new materials is as easy as scanning the item’s BossardCode and we’ll take care of the rest.
• Thanks to its simplicity, Bossard 2Bin has been a reliable method for replenishing materials at regular intervals.

For more information about how Smart Factory Logistics can reduce costs, improve productivity, and bring lean management to your manufacturing floor, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

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