The SOP process display screen used on assembly lines

The SOP process display screen is an essential tool in assembly lines. It integrates industrial-grade displays, hosts, and network devices to show standardized operating procedures in real-time. Supporting various file formats, it offers touch operation, remote management, and offline protection. By displaying clear instructions, it boosts production efficiency, reduces errors, and saves costs. Combined with MES or SCADA systems, it enhances production data integration and management. Widely used in industries like electronics, automotive, and home appliances, it optimizes the production process and improves overall efficiency.

The SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) process display screen used on assembly lines is an electronic device for displaying standardized operation manuals. Here is a detailed explanation:

I. Hardware Composition

• Display Terminal: Typically, an industrial-grade LCD monitor is used, featuring high resolution, brightness, and contrast to clearly present various process information. Common sizes include 21.5 inches, and the size can be selected based on the actual space and requirements of the workstation.
• Host: Options include Android hosts, Windows hosts, or industrial all-in-one computers. These hosts, when combined with the display screen, form a complete workstation display terminal. They are compact, easy to install, stable and reliable, and come with a variety of interfaces, including USB, LAN, TF card slots, audio, and high-definition multimedia interfaces.
• Network Connection Devices: Connected to a switch or WiFi router via Ethernet cable to access the local area network (LAN) and communicate with the server to receive and update SOP documents.
• Mounting Bracket: Generally, wall-mounted installation is used to save workshop space and maintain a tidy and aesthetically pleasing workshop environment. Wall-mounted industrial displays usually have an IP65 protection rating, making them dustproof and waterproof, suitable for various harsh industrial environments.

II. Functional Features

• Process Display: It can display operation steps, process flowcharts, work step descriptions, process resources, component allocation tables, etc. in real-time. It presents the process flow, precautions, and inspection standards clearly to the operators to ensure they follow the standard procedures.
• File Format Support: It supports a variety of file formats, such as images, Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, and videos. This allows companies to create and display corresponding guidance documents according to different process requirements.
• Remote Management and Distribution: Managers can design and distribute operation display plans remotely. They can unify the distribution of electronic operation manuals and notification information. Through client software, managers can send SOP files to the designated workstation displays without manual operation on-site.
• Touch Operation: Some SOP process display screens have touch functions. Operators do not need to frequently touch the keyboard during the production process. They can simply tap the corresponding process steps on the screen to complete confirmation, which improves production efficiency and reduces operational errors.
• Offline Protection: Even in the event of a network outage, the display screen can automatically display the last remembered drawings, ensuring that the production process is not affected by network issues.
• Production Data Integration: When combined with MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, the SOP process display screen can display SOPs and also monitor production data and equipment status in real-time to achieve remote management of the factory. Managers can check production progress and process flows through the display screen at any time and adjust production plans promptly.
• Customization: Based on the actual situation and needs of the enterprise, corresponding software functions can be customized and developed, such as andon call, equipment inspection, and ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) monitoring production management modules. This further optimizes the production process and improves management efficiency.

III. System Architecture

• Display End: The software is installed on a box or all-in-one machine and connected to a switch or WiFi router (connected to the local area network) via Ethernet cable. A fixed IP address is assigned.
• Server End: The software and SQL database are installed on a server (or a computer can be used as a substitute), and the drawing distribution software must be running.
• Client End: The software is installed on one or more PC computers within the same local area network. Operators use the client software to distribute drawings to the display end.

IV. Advantages

• Increased Production Efficiency: Operators follow the prompts on the display screen, reducing the time wasted on searching for and understanding paper documents. Additionally, the rapid SOP file distribution mechanism can shorten the line changeover time on the production line, improving the smoothness and efficiency of the production process.
• Reduced Error Rate: The electronic SOP process display screen can clearly and accurately display operation steps and precautions, reducing the occurrence of human errors.
• Cost Savings: It achieves paperless office operations, reducing the costs of paper and printing consumables. Moreover, it reduces resource waste caused by production stoppages and quality issues.
• Enhanced Management: Managers can better grasp the situation on the production floor through remote monitoring and real-time data integration, and make adjustments in a timely manner. Additionally, the comprehensive permission management function ensures the secure control of SOP documents, with clear responsibilities.

V. Application Scenarios

The SOP process display screen is widely used in workshops with extremely high process requirements, such as electronic assembly, precision instrument assembly, and SMT (Surface-Mount Technology) placement. It is also applied in industries like automotive assembly production, home appliance manufacturing, and agricultural/mechanical engineering manufacturing.