The search for a solution yielded several key criteria: In addition to the range of functions required to achieve the desired goals, VACOM focused primarily on technological aspects. The company works with Hydra-X, the MES from MPDV. In order to establish a seamlessly integrated system, VACOM therefore sought solutions that work on MPDV's Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP).

In the course of its research, the VACOM project team finally came across our connected worker platform weasl, which we, as a MIP partner, can seamlessly integrate into the MPDV ecosystem and have already successfully implemented for other companies. For VACOM, weasl offered the desired features and the necessary flexibility to launch a pilot project to optimize assembly processes.

The existing MES Hydra-X will be supplemented by weasl and integrated via an interface so that workers will only work in weasl in the future. The connected worker platform runs on a second monitor and is operated via touch. Authentication is performed via smart tag.

The aim is to minimize additional effort for workers. Instead of maintaining data and content in weasl and Hydra-X, this is done by the connected worker platform. Everything that the worker enters in weasl is forwarded by the system to Hydra-X via an interface. From there, the data is then transferred to SAP.

This requires detailed mapping of the data in the various systems in the first step. weasl can be granularly adapted to the company's domain, ensuring that orders and order-related data are correctly transferred from and returned to the leading systems.

Production planning can use this data to prepare all assembly scenarios for weasl. The annotated drawing thus becomes a detailed set of instructions that shows the worker step by step how to manufacture a component. If the worker needs to be shown relevant information at certain steps—for example, screw-in depths, torques, or sensitive assembly steps—weasl can retrieve this information from SAP via MIP and display it precisely at the relevant step. Conversely, weasl transmits data back from production – for example, whether a component requires a serial number, whether there are OK/NOK parts, or whether and why problems have occurred.

weasl brings the necessary flexibility to the execution of assembly processes. The system can specify different processing paths, depending on whether a component requires a serial number or not, for example. If it does require a serial number, weasl only allows the worker to process it step by step. Otherwise, the worker can decide for themselves whether they want to process several components in parallel.

For VACOM, working with weasl has only just begun, but significant added value is already becoming apparent at this early stage.

Provide workers with proper instruction

With weasl, VACOM turns annotated drawings into digital step-by-step work instructions that guide employees safely through the processes. Workers receive the information they need exactly where they need it. This eliminates room for interpretation and minimizes the risk of errors. In addition, the responsible technician no longer needs to have extensive prior knowledge to be able to carry out a job correctly. weasl explains each step in detail so that even inexperienced workers can be deployed.

Increase transparency

During assembly, weasl records data and work progress and feeds it back into connected systems. This creates a database that enables basic evaluations and analyses. The causes of rework can be analyzed and remedied. End-to-end traceability enables well-founded complaint management. This benefits the company and, last but not least, its customers.

Following the pilot project in assembly, VACOM can already envisage further application scenarios for weasl. One obvious scenario is already evident in assembly: quality assurance. Here, weasl can provide support for worker self-inspection, quality control, and strategic quality assurance.

The project team also sees potential for the use of weasl in technical building management. Here, weasl could be used on tablets to support maintenance work and facilitate the corresponding documentation work.

The team sees another realistic scenario in the connection of tools via the MIP. In this way, process data could be recorded directly from the connected tools or even output to them. In any case, weasl offers the potential and flexibility to master cross-departmental scenarios.