Digitising a sewing production line with a single download: is it possible? The ARTiTEX Time Study App makes it possible. With a smartphone at each workstation and an internet connection, machine running and handling times can be automatically recorded and analysed in real time. Time lost due to missing material, technical problems, absenteeism and much more are precisely measured so that the biggest ‘time wasters’ can finally be identified and tackled immediately. And, of course, the output for each operation is also counted and is immediately visible in the customer’s ARTiTEX account on the Internet, along with achieved average cycle times and KPIs.
Digitise any sewing line in no time at all
With this innovative retrofit solution, which can be used for all of the approximately 30 million workstations in the sewing industry, the start-up founded by Thomas Brinkhoff, Former Director of Marketing at Duerkopp Adler AG, has already won numerous customers since its launch in 2022 and is growing steadily.
Until now, such systems have been expensive and very complex to install. However, ARTiTEX technology is affordable even for small and medium-sized companies. It often takes only a few hours to digitise a sewing line and no cables or other hardware are required. It is probably the cheapest solution available in the market, with a monthly cost per worker of less than US $ 2. There is even no need to invest in smartphones, if management allows the workers to use their personal smartphones.
Understand time and quality losses and tackle them immediately
Companies using this solution have completely eliminated the cost of helpers recording output and time on paper or in Excel. Productivity increases of at least 10 per cent -15 per cent can be achieved through better decisions and faster line balancing, as inefficient workers and reasons for lost time are immediately identified. Incentive systems can also be implemented quickly and easily on ARTiTEX.
The app can also be used to improve training and communication. Tutorial videos and media can be uploaded to the system for each operation, which can be accessed by the worker during the operation. A built-in chat function enables quick internal communication between managers, technicians and operators.
An add-on allows quality inspectors to use the same app to perform visual in-line or end-of-line inspections, take photos of any defects found and analyse everything immediately. Interfaces to ERP systems can be programmed if required and existing bundle barcodes can be integrated with and scanned through the app.
FTJ’s Take:
Smartphones are the best and most helpful devices in the world for all of us. With ARTiTEX, they are now doing the same on the sewing line, instantly digitising any factory and enabling amazing productivity gains through fast, data-driven decisions.