Discover the impact of automated quality inspection on the production line

Overview

• KMS Automation required a solution that could perform 100% automated in line quality inspection.
• The Equotip 550 was implemented across multiple lines globally as a reliable solution.
• Significant improvements in quality assurance and operational efficiency were highlighted for KMS Automation’s clients

KMS Automation are global leader in automation and quality assurance for production lines and QA testing services, focused on optimizing delivery cycles and accelerating speed-to-market.

Challenge

KMS Automation faced the challenge of ensuring consistent, high-quality production in the automotive sector. The company's customers, particularly those producing aluminum casts for the automotive segment, required a solution that could perform 100% in-line quality inspection to eliminate the risk of non-conformance costs.

Key concerns included avoiding inaccuracies, machine downtime due to component failure, and premature drift of hardness testing probes, which are costly to service and maintain. Additionally, the probes required several daily verifications due to potential wear-related drifts, necessitating a system that could ensure ongoing accuracy.

Solution

KMS Automation implemented the Equotip 550 Leeb method across multiple production lines globally. The Equotip 550 is renowned for its accuracy and reliability in non-destructive testing (NDT). This solution operates fully automatically, providing 24/7 quality inspection with minimal downtime. Key features of the Equotip 550 include:

• Intermediate Verification: Conducts several checks throughout the day using accredited test blocks, ensuring compliance with DIN EN ISO 16859 and consistent operation of the probes.
• High Throughput: The system is capable of measuring two parts per minute, resulting in approximately 90,000 measurements per month. Each part undergoes two impacts, totaling up to 170,000 impacts per month.
• Customization: The solution supports full customization, including monitoring the usable surface of the test block, and can be integrated seamlessly into existing production lines.
• Quality Management System Integration: The Equotip 550 can be integrated into existing Quality Management Systems (QMS), which avoids translation errors and speeds up the documentation process, ensuring accurate and efficient data handling.
• Ease of Implementation: The system’s documentation and setup are straightforward, with customer preference for RJ45 socket (TCP/IP) for connectivity.

The implementation of the Equotip 550 led to significant improvements in quality assurance and operational efficiency for KMS Automation’s clients:

• Bulletproof Quality Assurance: The automated system ensures that every product meets the highest quality standards, reducing the risk of non-conformance costs and increasing customer trust.
  • Reduced Operational Costs: By minimizing machine downtime and avoiding the high operational costs associated with equipment wear and tear, the system proved to be cost-effective.
• Enhanced Compliance and Added Value: The Equotip 550’s ISO 17025-accredited calibration not only meets industry standards but also provides added value by supporting compliance with frameworks like IATF 16949, crucial for automotive manufacturers.
• Reliability and Consistency: The equipment’s high durability and accurate measurement capabilities ensure consistent results, critical for maintaining production quality.

KMS Automation's customers have expressed high satisfaction with the Equotip 550, highlighting its ease of use, reliability, and the comprehensive support provided by KMS Automation. 

The Engineers from KMS Systems have expressed their opinion about the Equotip 550 and the standard compliance: 

"The Equotip 550 has been a reliable asset for our operations; we've never experienced any issues with its performance in any of our devices placed globally. Additionally  ISO17025 accreditation is essential for us and our customers, as it ensures we can provide top-tier solutions to our automotive clients with complete confidence in compliance."

This testimonial reflects the value the Equotip 550 brings to the quality assurance processes in the automotive sector.

KMS Automation's deployment of the Equotip 550 across various automotive production lines demonstrates the system's capability to deliver exceptional quality assurance in demanding environments. The solution's integration into production processes has not only met but exceeded customer expectations, setting a new standard for in-line quality inspection.

KMS Automation has been established in 1997 and has a track record of customized automation tools and equipment integration in various industrial segments, globally. 

KMS's employees have in common a strong motivation to find the best solution to any given problem. Their efforts to this end are based on outstanding technical knowledge coupled with a deep understanding of our customers' needs and operational practice. KMS Automation GmbH sets their customers as number one priority.

Contact:

KMS Automation GmbH
Im Webertal 20
D-78713 Schramberg-Waldmössingen

info@kms-automation.de