LinkedData MES Empowers KYB to Build an Intelligent Shock Absorber Production Model
With rising demands in the automotive market for enhanced safety and driving comfort, shock absorbers, as a critical vehicle component, require stable quality and lean manufacturing processes. The global shock absorber industry is undergoing a transformation toward intelligent and digital manufacturing to address diverse needs, frequent product iterations, and supply chain transparency.
As a leading enterprise in the global shock absorber sector, KYB has set a benchmark in automotive and construction machinery with its expertise in multi-category shock absorber technology. To meet the fast-evolving demands of the automotive industry, KYB not only addresses the need for a wide variety of models but also ensures high precision and comprehensive traceability in manufacturing processes.
In this context, KYB partnered with LinkedData to introduce a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) that resolved key challenges such as assembly error-proofing, measurement guidance, and data traceability, propelling its transformation toward smart manufacturing.
Project Highlights: Best Practices in Intelligent Manufacturing
1. Agile Development for Quick Market Adaptation
LinkedData implemented the MES system using agile development methodologies, completing the entire process—from requirement analysis to system launch—in just three months. The modular design and iterative delivery approach allowed for quick deployment while leaving room for future functional extensions.
2. Key Functionalities Addressing Industry Needs
• Assembly Error-Proofing: Aiming for Zero-Defect Manufacturing
During shock absorber assembly, issues like under-assembly or over-assembly can lead to product failure or performance degradation. LinkedData’s MES system integrates torque wrenches with PLC controls to enable real-time monitoring and automatic validation throughout the assembly process. By linking data between operations, it eliminates human errors, ensuring product consistency and safety.
• Measurement Guidance: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Consistency
The automotive parts industry demands high precision in dimensions and performance parameters. Traditional manual measurements and data entries are prone to errors and inefficiencies. The MES system integrates measuring tools with touch-screen displays to standardize inspection operations and automate data collection. This reduces human error, accelerates quality inspection, and ensures every product meets strict quality standards.
• Equipment Data Collection and Traceability: Empowering Failure Analysis and Supply Chain Transparency
Through LinkedData’s SCADA system, equipment parameters during production and testing are fully recorded and linked with product IDs. This enables multi-dimensional traceability (by time, equipment, or product ID), providing comprehensive data support for failure analysis and compliance with stringent automotive supply chain requirements.
• Packaging Traceability: Enhancing Customer Service
With a global customer base, KYB faced challenges in packaging and logistics complexity. The MES system allows for customized packaging rules, including multi-layer packaging with defined compositions. Each completed package receives a unique box label ID, enabling precise tracking. This facilitates problem localization in response to customer feedback, improving service efficiency and satisfaction.
Project Outcomes
• Enhanced Quality and Efficiency:
Real-time data-driven decision-making enabled KYB to optimize production efficiency and quality control, strengthening its global competitive edge.
• Foundation for Digital Factory Transformation:
The project established an integrated digital system for data collection, analysis, and traceability, paving the way for advanced features such as AI optimization and predictive maintenance.
• Setting a Benchmark for the Industry:
This collaboration provides a valuable case study for the intelligent transformation of the shock absorber industry.
KYB plans to replicate this success about MES across other product lines, leveraging LinkedData’s digital expertise to build a fully intelligent manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem.
This partnership not only showcases LinkedData’s leadership in industrial software and hardware integration but also sets a new benchmark for digital transformation in the automotive manufacturing sector. LinkedData will continue its mission of “Creating Zero-Loss Manufacturing,” contributing to the global digitalization of the automotive components industry.
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