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36 MoldMaking Technology —— FEBRUARY 2018 MAINTENANCE MATTERS Getting Physical with Data By Steve Johnson In the constant quest to bring usable data to mold repair shops, the focus has always been on the type of data to collect, the per- son responsible for each part of the data collection process and the most effective way to use the data. The discussion always centers on the data system itself. For example, discussion focuses on items like system databases, data storage, data availability, proper security, backup and navigation. An essential item miss- ing from that list is the physical side of data collection and usage. The reason this aspect is often neglected is because it does not sound like a real issue. A shop can simply stick a laptop on a mobile stand and use it or put a computer and small monitor on a desk in the corner. That will work, right? Well, not quite. As with everything in the trades, it is the nuances that help identify the right tools and the right way to use them, so it is no different with computers, keyboards and monitors. Sit or Stand? For office personnel, there is plenty written about the ergo- nomics of computer placement relative to the person using it. For example, much has been written about the best location or position of the person to the screen and keyboard, the proper viewing distance and angle for a specific monitor size and the most appropriate chair style for prolonged computer work. These are important ergonomic and health considerations for those who work mostly at their desk. However, the average mold repair technician is on his or her feet all day and does not have the time or desire to park at a desk several times a day to enter or retrieve data. Information gathering for trades people must be considered in the same manner, if shops want them to consistently input and use accurate data every day, during an average mold pre- ventive maintenance (PM), cleaning and repair. When data entry and retrieval are physically difficult or cumbersome, the repair technician will avoid the task entirely or only enter a short statement about the work that was performed on the mold, such as "fixed it," "completed" or "done." At our training center, we explain why proper data collec- tion and usage is a critical aspect of any molder's ability to effi- ciently produce quality parts on time. Attendees are required to complete specific forms all throughout a hot runner or mold repair exercise and to note also any repair procedure or mold condition that they deem important. They have a choice to fill out the forms manually and then enter the data at the end of the day, or log directly into the data system and complete the forms electronically as they go. It is intriguing that many attendees choose to wait until the repair is finished and then collect the manually completed forms and head to the computer to enter the information. Even with our mobile stands (which are 38 inches in height), which enable them to roll the computer next to the mold for on-the-fly entries and image viewing, most attendees do not bother to enter data directly. Even a few of the younger technicians, who have histori- cally demonstrated a high comfort level with the keyboard, rarely rolled the laptops to the benches while they worked. We polled the attendees about this outcome and here are some of the concerns that they voiced: • Viewing . The 15-inch laptop screen's low angle and distance from the user while users stood made the screen difficult to view and required them to hunch. The mobile stand was roughly 4 inches too short for the average attendee (5'11"). • T yping. The keyboard is waist high, making it too low to type comfortably. • Saf ety. Moving the lightly built mobile stand safely around the shop without tipping it was a challenge. The stand's legs protruded from the bottom and were easily kicked or tripped over when parked around the benches. • Power. The laptops required charging every four hours, which effectively chained them to a wall. Some attendees moved the laptop to a desk and sat to type, but they quickly grow weary of the back and forth between the desk, chair and bench to verify and document the data. These concerns prompted us to design a mobile "documen- tation station" which repair technicians would want to use and which would promote entering data on the fly versus waiting until the end of the day. We were convinced that once we made entering and accessing the information physically easier, A mobile computer station (left) as opposed to a mobile stand (right) should have a suitable height and weight for stability, shelving for additional equipment and large, soft, lockable rubber wheels to ease movement around the shop. Images courtesy of MoldTrax.