“By packing and printing line-side, we are able to take away the possibility of mislabeling downstream in the shipping process.” Chris Aviles, Plant Manager

Honda of America’s Line-side Printing

Mandate met by Atlantic Tool and Die

with the help of Edibar Systems and I/Gear

Background

“The solution provided by I/Gear integrating with E-RMS greatly simplifies the process of counting and labeling product. Our Associates simply push a green button, when it lights up, and attach the printed label to the container.” says Eric Kress, Director of IS, Atlantic Tool and Die.

Founded in 1937, Atlantic Tool & Die (ATD) manufactures metal stampings and assemblies from its six facilities in Alabama,

Ohio, and Texas. The company serves major automakers including Honda of America Manufacturing in Marysville, Ohio.

ATD established its main facility in Strongsville, Ohio in 1967. Atlantic Tool & Die supplies automotive parts worldwide on the

just-in-time delivery system.

Problem

Honda of America announced their line-side printing initiative in the spring of 2007 to be in place for the ’09 model year.

At that time, barcode labels were being bulk printed and then attached to containers in a staging area. This process has

allowed for mislabeling issues to occur. Honda prefers that suppliers apply the Honda Container Label as soon as the

container is filled on the manufacturing line.

Solution

In an effort to become compliant with the new line-side printing requirement and stay on the leading edge of technology,

the Seville plant was built specifically to supply parts for the Honda 08’ Accord.

ATD currently has Edibar Systems shipping control solution installed in each of their plants. They chose to use this

system combined with I/Gear to integrate with their machine PLCs in order to generate labels line-side.

Ø Helps minimize human interaction and improves count, part and label accuracy issues.

Ø The PLC and Poka Yoke identify exact parts produced, separates parts that are good from bad and counts the number

of good parts.

“By packing and printing line-side, we are able to take away the possibility of mislabeling downstream in the shipping process.”

- Chris Aviles, Plant Manager

Results

The benefits ATD has experienced with this solution are reallocated manpower to other processes, no downtime for paperwork

and being proactive to prevent DTR’s. “The solution provided by I/Gear integrating with E-RMS greatly simplifies the process

of counting and labeling product. Our Associates simply push a green button, when it lights up, and attach the printed label to the container.”

says Eric Kress, Director of IS, Atlantic Tool and Die.

Edibar Systems Inc. 51520 Regency Center Dr. Macomb MI 48042

Office: (586) 677-8800 or (800) 633-3210

Fax: (586) 677-8801

www.edibar.com