How Pace Timers with Control Panels or Remote Control Boxes Operate

The same fields are also often used when the customer controls our display from a PLC or plant computer.

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Standard Pace Timer Operation Terminology:

There are several methods that manufacturers use to show production data to their employees. Some of our units have CONTROL PANELS built in (the smaller units such as our 2.3″ AF-2720-100) and others require a “CONTROL BOX” that allows the larger units to be mounted remotely with local control. This information tells what type of data we most often display with the use of one of our control units. All of our displays are also available with a serial (RS-232/ RS-485) input so that you can show whatever data you wish from your plant PLC or computer without the use of one of our control panels or remote control boxes.

Manufacturers most often want to show their employees the following types of data that our Control Boxes and Panels will show (contact us for options on particular models):

GOAL ( PLAN )

RUNNING GOAL—The Goal field is most often used to show plant personnel how many parts they should have completed NOW. This is often referred to as a RUNNING GOAL (since the number increments on the run at a predetermined pace). So if a workstation should have completed 100 parts an hour into their shift, the “Goal” will show “100” an hour into the shift. The Running Goal is set by adjusting a Time Increment (time in secondsótenths of seconds available in some models) to the time that it should take for each unit to be completed. Ex: Each operation should take assembly personnel 45 seconds to completeóset the Time Increment to 45 seconds. The “Goal” will increment by one automatically every 45 seconds from the start of the shift. The Pace Timer starts a shift when the “Reset” button is pushed.

SHIFT GOAL—Sometimes management wishes instead to show the workstation or assembly line how many parts or operations they need to complete before the end of the shift. This is most often referred to as a SHIFT GOAL (since the number is set at the start of the shift and does not change during the shift). The shift goal is set in the same method as the running goal except that the user dials in the total count instead of the time per piece at the start of the shift.

ACTUAL (ACTUAL COUNT)

The Actual field is the current actual count of pieces processed by the line. This field is reset to zero at the start of the shift and counts up as parts are completed. With alternative input capabilities, the Actual field can also count down such as when eliminating “scrap” pieces from the parts count.

DEVIATION

The deviation field shows how many units the line or workstation is ahead of or behind where they should be. Standard units do not include a “plus” symbol and only show a minus symbol when the workstation is behind the goal. This deviation number shows “Goal” minus “Actual” in units that are using a running goal. Units that are using a Shift Goal also require the input of “Shift Time” if the “Deviation” field is necessary. In these cases, our Control units calculate the current goal (running goal) from shift time, shift goal, and the elapsed time into the shift.

% EFFICIENCY

The Efficiency field shows Actual Count divided by Goal in units using a Running Goal. Units that are using a Shift Goal also require the input of “Shift Time” if the “Efficiency” field is necessary. In these cases, our Control units calculate the current goal (running goal) from shift time, shift goal, and the elapsed time into the shift and then displays the % efficiency accordingly.