Leading voices from the worlds of aerospace, rail, and energy joined Snap-on Industrial at its Insight 2024 event to discuss the biggest challenges facing industry in the UK and Europe and seek potential solutions.
Gathering at the Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, these captains of industry took part in a Tool Control discussion that highlighted how streamlined tool management systems are solving three of their most persistent problems: reduced productivity, tool loss and damage, and inaccurate reporting.
Challenging economic conditions in the post-pandemic landscape have increased pressure on organisations to optimise their operations, reduce downtime, and save money.
That’s where Snap-on’s suite of all-in-one solutions is meeting a critical need. Powered by L5 Connect software, each tool control system in the Snap-on portfolio allows companies to always have complete visibility of their tool inventory. Not only does this mean they can meet health and safety requirements and CAA guidelines, but it also provides valuable insights that help them save time and money.
Snap-on prides itself on the close relationships it has with its partners, and every new product has been developed in response to customer feedback and urgent industry need.
The discussion panel included representatives from Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and Safran Landing Systems.
Virgin Atlantic looked to Snap-on to aid with the transition from a fragmented workforce using individual toolkits to a centralised system with all engineers using automated tool control boxes (ATCs). The airline now has 15 ATCs at its Heathrow site.
While embedding the new system required an initial adjustment period, the ATCs have now become an essential resource for employees at every level. Managers can now benefit from a forensic level of insight, which allows them to evaluate how each box is being used as well as quickly identify breakages. Tracking breakages over time also highlight patterns, which the procurement team can use to anticipate future breakages, buy new tools, and have them ready for rapid deployment.
The result is a system that works with the existing workforce and optimises performance without any service interruption. As Andy Currey, Tooling & GSE Manager at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Everybody in our workforce was already buying tools from Snap-on so it was a natural fit.”
Aerospace supplier Safran Landing Systems approached Snap-on with a similar concern; the company needed to standardise its operations and move engineers away from individual toolboxes to a more efficient shared system.
“Accuracy is exceptionally important for us,” said Neil Bevan, OL Assembly Flow Line Manager at Safran. “While the camera-controlled system roll-out required an adjustment at first, it’s now universally appreciated and has transformed the level of control we have over our tooling.”
Lufthansa has found that Snap-on meets offers three essential benefits: full control, accuracy, and insights. The airline uses Snap-on ATCs in its hangers and really put the system through its paces, intentionally trying to manipulate it and force errors (unsuccessfully!) Now, the team know exactly who has each tool, when it was taken from the box, and when it was returned. They also always know the status and availability of the tools monitored by the system. From this data, the team can determine and plan future tool requirements.
Richard Packham, Director UK & Europe for Snap-on Industrial said: “In every industry, our customers are under increasing pressure to operate cost-efficiently and improve productivity without sacrificing quality. We’re proud to help them rise to this challenge by providing intuitive technology and versatile tool systems that offer businesses complete visibility, accurate tracking, and invaluable insights that they can use to optimise their operations.”
To further meet the needs of industry in 2024, Snap-on announced the launch of two new products at the event:
ATC FlexHub
The ATC FlexHub was one of the most sought-after product ideas floated at the previous year’s event in 2023. The Snap-on team took that feedback and ran with it, taking elements of its existing AutoCrib set-up, integrating it with L5 Connect, and enhancing with additional features after deployment in test locations before its official launch, all within 12 months.
Engineered to work at the speed of work, the FlexHub improves tool organisation and visibility. A modular system, the FlexHub is equipped with several different lockers and drawers so that it can hold tools of different shapes and sizes. It’s fully configurable and can grow with you, making it a futureproof purchase. Up to four frames can be configurated currently, but this will soon be extended to 10 or more frames.
Using an attached or wireless scanner, users can unlock tools from multiple lockers at once. When ready to return, users can simply scan the tool and the relevant locker will automatically reopen for easy storage.
The ATC FlexHub also offers an elevated level of control for calibrated items. Users can manually strike tools that require calibration and automatically send an email notification to the relevant team. The locker containing this tool will then be locked to all other users until the item can be safely removed for calibration.
Powered by L5 Connect, the ATC FlexHub provides businesses with a full audit trail. This is particularly useful when it comes to calibration; administrators can see who flagged the item as requiring calibration, when that decision was made, and how long it took for the tool to be returned to active service.
Torque Control
Let’s talk torque.
Snap-on is the world’s leading torque manufacturer and offers an expansive range of torque screwdrivers, wrenches, and more.
Each torque tool can now be controlled and monitored remotely via ControlTech. This innovative system enables engineers to save time and effort while still ensuring all work is being completed safely and correctly.
ControlTech operates in multiple languages and can store a wealth of data; it can hold up to 1500 readings and 100 pre-sets as well as allowing engineers to choose to measure angle, torque and angle, or torque then angle. All this information can be downloaded and emailed as a CSV file at the click of a button.
Each Bluetooth-enabled tool can connect to the system via app or API and data will automatically synchronise as soon as it is within 100 metre range. While in use, the tool will flash, vibrate, and beep once the target torque is reached.
By continually tracking the tool and taking readings, ControlTech provides an exceptional level of control as well as checking work quality, flagging bolts that may have been over-tightened and when bolts in a sequence may have been missed.
For more information, please visit https://snaponlevel5.com, call 01536 413904, or email [email protected]
