For the second consecutive time, Paul Horn GmbH receives the Allianz Industry 4.0 Award Baden-Württemberg for an outstanding Industry 4.0 solution. The award underscores the continuous pursuit of innovation and the pioneering role in the digitalization of Horn's manufacturing.
Horn tools must meet the highest demands for precision and quality. This is crucial, for example, in areas such as optics and highly efficient gear manufacturing. The acquisition of these tools involves significant investments. To extend the lifespan of the tools, Horn offers reconditioning services worldwide.
Until now, tool service was only economically viable for large quantities. 'We process the tools in fixed steps - regardless of their actual wear - as they could not efficiently document individual measurements and decisions,' says André Hoettgen, Group Leader Enterprise at Horn.
To digitally map the lifecycle of precision tools and ensure the collection of quality-critical data, Horn has implemented a web-based, tailored solution for specific product groups. With the 'HORN Service Platform (HSP)', relevant production processes are digitally supported and administrative tasks accelerated. Based on the award-winning I4.0 infrastructure from last year, more than 15 internal stations were connected: from creation to the end of the lifecycle (tool) and from goods receipt to shipping (service process). Key processes include laser marking, grinding, various inspections and measurements, cleaning, blasting and coating, packaging, and shipping.
The HSP assigns a unique identification number to precision tools. This breaks through the system boundary of the classic ERP system. Throughout the service process, data can be captured seamlessly, digitally assigned to the tools, and presented in a structured and transparent manner on the web interface. This includes all quality-critical data, such as direct measurement values (height, diameter, runout, ...), inspection reports, images, or comments, and increases traceability. Customers and manufacturing share a system, but with individual views and clear delineation of data (multi-tenancy). Administrative processes, for example, in assessing the initial condition after receiving the tools or in maintaining order data in the ERP, are digitally supported.
André Hoettgen: 'Where possible, Horn fully automated administrative tasks. This prevented errors and reduced lead times.'
The introduction of the HSP significantly improved delivery performance and created full transparency over the entire tool lifecycle. The captured data provides the basis for future analyses and optimizations of manufacturing processes. Through interfaces, customers can access this data. Reducing processing steps/depth positively impacts the lifespan of the tools and thus costs and the environment/sustainability. The solution found is being gradually rolled out by Horn and will be implemented in other product areas in the future.
'We are orienting ourselves to customer needs with the HSP and continuously working on digital offerings as well as the efficiency of the service business model,' summarizes André Hoettgen.
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