Poka-Yoke Controller

    Poka-Yoke, pronounced PHO-kay YOK-kah, is a Japanese term that means “error proofing.” Poka-Yoke devices and techniques create a dialogue with the worker; thus, if an error is made, the worker is “informed” of the error. Poka-Yoke techniques were developed to improve productivity for all workers by reducing the ergonomic and cognitive demands of tasks. By reducing these demands for all workers, the tasks become more accessible to workers with disabilities.

    The ETL Poka-Yoke Controller (PYC) was designed to provide workers with feedback during weighing and counting tasks. The current design interfaces to an Ohaus™ CT 6000 digital scale for use with both of these tasks. The controller has direct inputs for a sensing switch or a smart sensor such as the SUNX FX-7 as well as outputs for a conveyor, indexing turntable, or voice output device. This variety of inputs and outputs allow the user to coordinate counting with material handling operations.

The controller facilitates independent work, improved performance, and improved quality. In providing such benefits, the PYC significantly reduces the need for staff intervention.

Poka-Yoke Features

The ETL Poka-Yoke Controller has been designed with several enhancements that separate it from its industrial counterparts:

* Uses built-in counting and weighing software, making the PYC ready-to-use and, therefore, more time/cost effective then other systems.

* Provides 100% source inspection (another feature of poka-yoke interventions)

* Supports a built-in RS232 port for connections to any standard 3-wire serial device

* Connects directly to an Ohaus™ scale for both weighing and counting operations

* Interfaces easily to the user’s current voice prompting unit

* Provides a twenty character by two line alpha numeric display with a simple three button menu structure for easy setup and operation

* Provides three colored prompting lights to instruct the user, allowing the supervisor to monitor the individual from a distance