Lista workstations give improved assembly system

The Lista Arlink 8000 modular workstations are specifically designed to accommodate future needs, and they provide a central element in the DMP manual product assembly system even after 5 years

Founded in 1975, Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) is a recognised leader in network solutions for fast, cost-effective, centralised security monitoring in applications of every size.

The company was at the forefront of digital communications in the security industry, and today continues to set standards with its networked intrusion, fire and access control products.

DMP is the only independently owned security company that manufactures all their products in the United States.

The company's manual assembly or insertion line is used to handle insertion of odd-form components - those that cannot be machine-inserted.

For more than five years, Arlink 8000 workstations from Lista International Corp had served DMP well as the central element in the company's manual product assembly.

Based in Holliston, Lista is a world leader in the area of modular storage and workspace systems.

Recently, problems were starting to stack up for David Peebles, the DMP VP of Manufacturing on some of his final assembly lines.

The manual final assembly line configuration was resulting in stacks of partially assembled products piling up, bringing productivity to a halt.

Peebles needed to incorporate a more progressive assembly system to address this problem, optimise efficiencies and prepare the assembly department for future growth and expansion.

Fortunately for Peebles, his Arlink 8000 workstations could be very accommodating: "The Lista Arlink 8000 has been a good, stable product for us for a long time.

It wears well, and has the exceptional flexibility we needed to transition from what was essentially a batch final assembly process to a higher volume progressive assembly concept".

The Lista Arlink 8000 modular workstations are specifically designed to accommodate changing or future needs.

They can be configured in a variety of heights and lengths, and feature a unique "starter and adder" system with optional back-to-back configurations that enables unlimited layouts to adapt to any space or support any process requirements.

Also, the workstation Definite Positioning System makes relocating or adjusting work surfaces, storage, shelving, lights, power beams, foot-rests, etc fast, easy and safe.

After researching a number of different options, Peebles determined that the best method for attaining continuous material flow would be to incorporate conveyor belts into the DMP assembly lines and Arlink workstations.

Specifically, Peebles selected a conveyor solution from SmartMove.

SmartMove manufactures simple, plug-in, modular plastic chain belt conveyors that are designed to increase efficiency in assembly, inspection, packaging and testing applications.

Peebles was particularly impressed with the speed at which the new progressive assembly lines took shape: "We started installing the first line one evening," he recalled, "I left for the day, and arrived the next morning expecting to spend a few hours explaining what we had in mind to our team.

I was shocked to see that the assembly line was already in full production.

Also the combination of the modular Arlink workstation and the SmartMove conveyor allowed us to easily reconfigure two 48 foot lines into three 32 foot lines, without any disruptions".

Each 32 foot line is comprise of eight 4-ft long sections that are easy to manoeuvre and switch out.

The workstations hold different coloured plastic bins which, based on what the technicians are building that day, can be moved around to accommodate positioning and size needs.

To eliminate debilitating workflow pile-ups and breakdowns, the new system also features electronic eyes that stop the conveyor lines and provide instant notification if there's a problem.

According to Peebles, the improvements in the final assembly department have been dramatic, and easy to quantify.

He said, "From that first day of the new installation, we witnessed a 30% improvement in productivity.

We've also seen improvements in employee morale, as they've told me on a number of occasions how much they enjoy working in their new environment".

His overall impression of Lista and their products has been nothing but positive.

He concludes, "The Lista Arlink 8000 is a great value - an easy-to-assemble solution that's high quality as well as cost-effective.

The Lista salespeople and design team have provided excellent support.

We're looking at adding three additional new lines, and Lista workstations are top of mind".

It appears quite certain that, thanks to the DMP new progressive assembly lines and the very flexible Lista Arlink 8000 workstations, Peebles' "stacked-up" problems are a thing of the past.

Back to top