Atlas Copco Tool Location System – The best solution today!
Product News Thursday, June 23, 2011: Atlas Copco Tools
Using Atlas Copco transducerized cordless tools? Atlas Copco has developed the Tool Location System, TLS, which takes error-proofing to the next level. TLS is an innovative and reliable way of ensuring that, on customers’ assembly lines, tightenings are being performed in the right station and on the right product.
Reliability and Flexbibility United
TLS can be compared to a small-scale GPS. Instead of having satellites the customers have sensors that monitor their plant. Products and tools are located and tracked by placing tags on them. The system uses ultra-wideband (UWB) radio frequencies to locate the position of the tags. This provides provides a level of reliability that it is simply not possible to achieve with legacy technologies such as conventional RFID or WLAN. High flexibility is achieved with power tools in the workstation.
Virtual workstations and product areas
On static assembly lines, using TLS, virtual workstations are created and tools linked to them, guaranteeing that only the correct tools work in the assigned workstation. Pick up the wrong tool and it simply won’t operate.On moving assembly lines, virtual product areas are created that move with the product. Tools can also be linked to them and, again, only the correct tools will work in the correct product area.
A long list of benefits
The Atlas Copco Tool Location System will pay for itself quickly by providing effective operator guidance. Tightening programs are selected automatically and manual product identification is eliminated. This minimizes the risk of human error, thus reducing reworking and scrapping. TLS also speeds up production by increasing individual operator productivity. TLS will enhance existing Error Proofing systems or be a means to begin error proofing your assembly process.
Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems Motor Vehicle Industry is a division within Atlas Copco’s Industrial Technique business area. It markets hand-held electric and pneumatic tools, assembly systems, software and services to the automotive industry worldwide. It also offers global project management for multinational customers. The division is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Learn more at www.atlascopco.com.
