Electronic Procedures

High quality products and regulatory compliance depend on operators performing the work exactly as specified. Human error can be high when operators have to look through paper instructions, write data and dates on forms, and analyze the data for validity. 

Camstar’s Electronic Procedures are step-by-step instructions or tasks that automatically guide an operator progressively through work at an work station. 

Electronic procedures are “structured” so that the specifications and tasks are enforceable, and the operators and their actions are traceable. The tasks can be configured to require operator acknowledgement or specific data collection, or to simply be informational history in the manufacturing audit trail.

Operators acknowledge each task as it is performed, either with a simple click, or with a specific “yes” entry, or by collecting detailed parametric data. 

Easy to use 

• Guides the operator 
• Enforces procedures 
• Mandates line clearance 
• Collects data and verifies values 
• Takes actions on exception 
• Integrates electronic signatures 
• Populates the audit trail

Easy to set up 

• Generates user interface automatically based on

Collecting parametric data via electronic procedures is simple for the operator, and eliminates the need for manual interpretation of the data. Data values can be acquired directly from the measurement tools using Camstar’s open integration design. 

For operator entry, the form is automatically generated from the task definitions and the operator enters or barcode scans each value. Each value is checked against its upper and lower limits, and an out-of-spec value causes the task to “fail”. 

An out-of-spec condition or other process failure can be configured to automatically take actions such as placing the product on hold, routing it to rework or MRB, or emailing a message, depending on the configured business rules. 

Key Features:

• Camstar’s Electronic Procedures module is fully configurable to precisely model a wide variety of manufacturing procedures. 
• Task lists are assigned to a work cell, work station or resource (equipment) via the operation specifications. 
• Electronic procedures are modular; that is, tasks and task lists can be defined once and used in multiple procedures. 
• When a task list is changed, the changes automatically apply to all occurrences of the task list. 
• Tasks in the electronic procedures can be easily modified as manufacturing processes change. 
• To ensure that operators automatically use the correct revision of instructions, electronic procedures are designed with Camstar’s patented revision control methodology. 
• Line clearance in a work cell is easily enforced. Using the “Start Process” and “End Process” tasks ensure that only one unit or lot or batch is in process at a work cell at a time. 
• Task lists can be configured to be executed in a specific sequence, or in any sequence. All mandatory tasks must be completed successfully before material can be moved to the next operation. 
• Data collection tasks can be configured with upper and lower limits that are monitored at the time of data collection. 
• Out-of-spec values cause automatic actions, depending on the configuration. 
• Authority to override business rules can be given to individuals. 
• Electronic signatures can be required for completion of any task in an electronic procedure.