Success Story

reading time: 4 min

Manufacturing

Material Industries

Industrial Software

Context

voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche is a globally leading steel and technology group, renowned for its expertise in materials and processing. In its steel production, multiple operations steps involve various machines, and operators face challenges in monitoring machine status, understanding production interruptions, and tracking order progress. Without a comprehensive overview of machine performance and order flow, optimizing production efficiency becomes difficult. For voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche, implementing a unified system to consolidate and display real-time data was crucial for ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

Challenge

Operators at voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche faced significant difficulties in monitoring the status of their five vertical bandsaws in real time. The existing system lacked visibility, making it challenging to track machine performance, identify production interruptions, and update orders efficiently. Furthermore, integrating SAP data with real-time machine data and enriching it with user inputs was essential to streamline operations. The fragmented data collection led to delays in production, inefficiencies in order tracking, and limited insights into the production process.

Assignment

The goal was to develop a solution that consolidates machine data, enabling operators to monitor the five vertical bandsaws, track saw band activities, label production interruptions, and update SAP with relevant production details. This would enhance visibility, improve order management, and optimize the workflow by providing real-time data and ensuring smooth operations. The solution would also be used for production planning and as a basis for data analysis projects, further supporting operational efficiency and informed decision-making.

A screenshot from CAPRO, the system which refreshes every second, providing live insights into machine status, belt speed, motor current, feed rate, and cutting directionAn image from the voestalpine workplace, in the steel production industry

Solution

In close collaboration with voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche, craftworks developed CAPRO, seamlessly integrating voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche's expertise in backend development with craftworks' innovative approach to frontend. The software provides real-time machine data, integrates with SAP, and enables operator input. It tracks key metrics like belt speed, motor current, and feed rate, while capturing and assigning reasons for production interruptions. By consolidating and organizing data, CAPRO enhances visibility, optimizes order management, and boosts efficiency, ensuring smooth operations at voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche.

CAPRO has enhanced efficiency at voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche's steel production by reducing downtime, improving data accuracy, and enabling better decision-making through real-time machine data and SAP integration. This has led to a 15% time savings per order, integrated 3 systems into one solution, and reduced paper usage by 95%.

voestalpine machine in a steel mill, optimizing the production process and ensuring seamless operation

To work with craftworks was a pleasure right from the start of the project. Thomas and Elisabeth contributed greatly with their professional experience at design and frontend development. But even as important as their skills and knowledge was the uncomplicated and agile working style. craftworks really tried to understand the production process and the needs of the employees on the shop floor which helped developing a platform what makes the life of the users easier and their work more productive.

Lukas Kremnitzer

voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche, Data Engineer

voestalpine customer black logo
three male team members of craftworks at a meeting table looking at laptops and working

Successful growth is a decision. Driven by data.

How can we help you grow?