“The andon lamps tell you where the problems are happening. You need to go to those places and examine things carefully. If you watch carefully, you’ll see what’s causing the problems. Then you can do your kaizen improvements. Doing that again and again is how you raise productivity.”
Michikazu Tanaka
“What I learned from Taiichi Ohno”
Andon systems are audio/visual systems that immediately alert supervisors to problems on the shop floor. The traditional Toyota Andon System uses pull cords that trigger a flashing light and customizable melody, unique to each section of a factory.
Andon systems serve two major purposes:
1. Immediate problem identification
2. Data tracking to identify areas for improvement
Industrial control systems are costly to purchase, cumbersome to install, and difficult to maintain. Sentry is cost-effective, simple to install, and easy to maintain.
The Sentry Andon System allows for basic data collection without the need for complex IT integration. Gather the data after each shift and document the results.
Embrace Respect for People by giving them the tools to do their job quickly and effectively. Andon systems empower employees to get results to their problems immediately.
We are finishing prototype development in early 2019. After some trial and revisions, we expect to launch the first version of this product in Summer 2019!