Tablet control, am I missing something?

[TCT]

The new Workhorse auto and it looks like all the new MHM's are using a tablet for the main control(I think MHM made a brilliant move still having a control panel under the dock). Am I missing something here? What is the HUGE advantage of this? Why would you ever remove the tablet from the press? If you remove it to say enter production data, well then your employees can't run the press.

I am not trying to come off negative with this post, I just wonder if I am missing something? I am a HUGE fan of technology, I like touch screens and LOVE the idea of a digital readout, but what is the advantage of a tablet to run the press?

[Ryan]

I think that it's less expensive to fix the control panel. Say $500 to get a new tablet, download the program, back up and running within say an hour. That's what I got (understood) from workhorse. I'm sure there are other advantages.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[TCT]

OK, I did not think of that!

[gtmfg]

Yep that would be sweet right now. Part of my PLC on my sportsman went blank last week. When I called in it sounded like it was going to be 2k. Luckily even with it out you can usually guess where the buttons use to be.

[abchung]

I thought the advantage of the tablet was for video conferencing.
When something is down, you can take the tablet to where the problem is and they can talk you through the solution.

[gtmfg]

Tablets are really their to increase owners morale.  Giving owners the false sensation that employees are working rather then checking their personal email while standing at the press.

[Baron265]

Reliability is one of the strongest advantages of using a tablet as a controller. A lot of time and money was spent to assure the user the product would last. We get to piggy back on that for screen printing applications. The tablet controller has a lot more capability than we use currently. Look for more and more use of that capability in the future. Updates can and will be sent through the WiFi feature just like Windows or Adobe.

Back to the original question, I can't remember having the tablet docked (easily removable), coming up in design discussions. It is now though. Our tablet controller is in a case, but it's not hard wired in place either.

Just my .02

[TCT]

I get what you mean Paul, almost like an attempt to future proof that part of the press. It is sounding cooler now and a bit more practical when you mention the possible addition of screen printing apps(how about a TSB app!) right at the press there.

I have to say though the idea of using it to diagnose a problem via video chat from the tablet it self seems excessive. I would think if you are using the tablet to video chat/diagnose then you couldn't use it to control or test the press.... Plus, seems everyone these days have these things in their pockets- a Smartphone! I used mine one time to Skype to diagnose a error light, extremely convenient! If you are one of the 11 people out there that don't have a smartphone no need to worry, you can probably get the schematics sent to your thermal fax machine while listening to your favorite cassette! 

Either way, I am beginning to understand the reasoning behind tablet control now!

[Binkspot]

Another benefit to this type of tech is the ability (maybe not there yet) to remotely see real time production data. Larger shops can  benefit from this watching multi able presses or equipment at the same time, realistically you could be on a cruse in the Caribbean and see what is happening in the shop.

It could also be integrated into front end programs to let sales staff see where the product is in production. This can also help identify production problems and streamline the whole process. In theory you could download the production data each month and see exactly how much was done on each press down the the second.

Something metioned at the show at the booth was posiably being able to order supplies right from the tablet.

[TCT]

Another benefit to this type of tech is the ability (maybe not there yet) to remotely see real time production data. Larger shops can  benefit from this watching multi able presses or equipment at the same time, realistically you could be on a cruse in the Caribbean and see what is happening in the shop.

It could also be integrated into front end programs to let sales staff see where the product is in production. This can also help identify production problems and streamline the whole process. In theory you could download the production data each month and see exactly how much was done on each press down the the second.

Something metioned at the show at the booth was posiably being able to order supplies right from the tablet.

I see what you are saying! Cool possibilities!

One HUGE flaw in your post though, "you could be on a cruse in the Caribbean and see what is happening in the shop" Um ya we are screen printers, it would be more like a canoe on the river...

[mk162]

presses should be going to tablets...period.  It faster/easier to update software, they are cheaper than a proprietary print panel, and they are replaceable.

The screen on our embroidery machine is on it's way out...quote from SWF---$4800.  Sorry, ain't gonna happen for that price.  I found a local screen repair shop that can do it for $1000...the screen alone is $850.

I can but 2 great tablets for that price.

It's a HUGE selling feature for me.

[Croft]

A friend has a couple new packaging machines and it helps him get things fixed , he had a tech in Florida last week able to control and check his machine out, at $1000 a day +travel he has seen a saving.
  On another note I feel we are really lucky with screen machines they seem pretty trouble free compared to some industries.

[jvanick]

One gotcha for me on the new Workhorse press is that the operating system 'behind the scenes' is Windows!  WTF Workhorse?

The last thing I want to worry about is service packing/patching/virus scanning/etc my press.

while I like the direction of going to general purpose computers for industrial control, at least pick a stable OS and locked down environment.

[mk162]

ha, nothing is locked down anymore.  there are becoming more and more threats to android and ios all the time.

That being said, this isn't a personal use system which should limit the risk of a virus. 

[blue moon]

One gotcha for me on the new Workhorse press is that the operating system 'behind the scenes' is Windows!  WTF Workhorse?

The last thing I want to worry about is service packing/patching/virus scanning/etc my press.

while I like the direction of going to general purpose computers for industrial control, at least pick a stable OS and locked down environment.

agreed here, Windoze should not be an OS for a device. The amount of calls to the kernel (going in and out to run and check the subroutines) is three times as high as in Linux. Calling three times as many subroutines is introducing a three times higher likelihood of something going wrong. The MHM is running on Linux and has proved to be a pretty stable platform (we have to reboot about once a quarter). While Windows has made big strides in becoming more stable (we are not talking XP or Win7 here, there are versions specifically designed for this purpose), I would have a really hard time buying anything running on Windows.

pierre