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Tools
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A tool is a machine or reusable asset used during manufacturing, testing, or maintenance. Examples include ovens, mills, torque tools, test equipment, and inspection systems.
Tools are tracked separately from installed or consumed inventory. They remain available across executions, may require scheduled maintenance, and can provide operating data through integrations.
Tools in task execution
A procedure step may identify a tool as a tool requirement. During work order execution, this tells operators which equipment is required and connects the corresponding task's execution record to the tool.
Queues can organize tasks around a particular machine or type of equipment. Operators can then select compatible tasks and execute them together as a batch. For example, an oven operator may batch work from several work orders into one oven run.
Data collection through integrations
Machine integrations often produce time-series data, such as temperature, pressure, speed, or test readings. Factorial can associate those readings with the tasks being executed on the tool.
This association uses operator check-in sessions to determine when each task was active. When sessions are recorded accurately, Factorial can show which work orders and inventory were being processed during a given period of tool operation.
Tool dashboards
A tool dashboard displays the data collected from its configured integrations. Select a tool from a work order task to open its dashboard and inspect the readings recorded during that task's execution.
For a batch, the dashboard provides the operating data for the shared equipment run. Operators can compare its time range with the sessions for each task in the batch.
Recording tool data on tasks
A configured plugin may write tool readings into data fields on work order tasks. When several batched tasks use the same reusable data field, the integration can apply a shared reading to the corresponding field on each task.
Automated field population depends on the configured integration. Factorial does not currently provide a general self-service interface for connecting arbitrary machines to task data fields.
Maintenance
A tool may define a maintenance start date and warning intervals. Factorial uses this schedule to warn users as the next maintenance period approaches.
A maintenance procedure can be associated with the tool so that the required instructions remain connected to the equipment being serviced.