TRUMPF Hüttinger: Using low-code development tools to create a worker guidance app that streamlines production
Explore TRUMPF Hüttinger’s journey with SAP
When it came to the assembly of complex products, TRUMPF Hüttinger GmbH + Co. KG felt that the process could be improved with a worker guidance app that provided step-by-step instructions. The power electronics manufacturer quickly developed an app using low-code tools in the SAP Build Apps development environment, improving efficiency and quality on the assembly line.
| Industry | Region | Company Size |
| High tech | Freiburg, Germany | 2,200 employees |
faster app creation using SAP Build Apps rather than custom development.
more time saved on administrative tasks related to production orders.
faster creation of assembly instructions.
Digital Lean Consultant, TRUMPF Hüttinger GmbH + Co. KG
| Industry | Region | Company Size |
| High tech | Freiburg, Germany | 2,200 employees |
faster app creation using SAP Build Apps rather than custom development.
more time saved on administrative tasks related to production orders.
faster creation of assembly instructions.
Digital Lean Consultant, TRUMPF Hüttinger GmbH + Co. KG
Shaping the industrial world of tomorrow
With operations in six countries, TRUMPF Hüttinger is a leading global supplier of process power equipment for the high tech sector. Part of the TRUMPF Group, the company applies an innovative approach to the evolution of power electronics technology that is shaping the future of the industry.
Production workers at the company’s plants in Germany, Poland, and China faced a challenging task in following complex assembly instructions for TRUMPF Hüttinger’s cutting-edge products. Having to access information from multiple locations during the assembly process was slowing production operatives down. In addition, the lack of a guided assembly system meant that it was possible to miss vital process steps, resulting in errors.
To improve production efficiency and quality, TRUMPF Hüttinger wanted to reduce the amount of time factory-floor employees spent on finding the information they needed to complete work orders. For this reason, the company decided to introduce a worker guidance app that would allow factory-floor employees to see all the required steps to execute their open work orders.
Fast-tracking app development with intuitive low-code tools
TRUMPF Hüttinger explored a number of options for creating its worker guidance app. It initially considered developing its own in-house solution, but with the app being critical to overall production output, it decided to pursue a lower-risk option. The company also looked at stand-alone worker guidance products from several vendors. However, the manufacturer wanted a solution that would integrate tightly with its existing IT landscape, including the SAP ERP application.
Following a thorough proof-of-concept process, TRUMPF Hüttinger decided to create its own app using SAP Build Apps, part of SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). Consultants from SAP demonstrated how this development environment enables nontechnical users to create an enterprise-grade app without coding, using visual tools to combine preconfigured functionality.
With help from these consultants, members of TRUMPF Hüttinger’s production team created the first version of the new worker guidance app in just 10 days, a tenth of the time it would have taken to code the app from scratch. The team was able to customize the app to fulfill the company’s precise requirements, including multiple languages to meet the needs of factory workers in different countries, for example. In addition, the team used SAP Integration Suite, also part of SAP BTP, to quickly and efficiently integrate the newly created worker guidance app with SAP ERP, enabling the app to access and update work order information in real time.
Digital Lean Consultant, TRUMPF Hüttinger GmbH + Co. KG
Increasing productivity while reducing assembly errors
Now, instead of using multiple systems, factory-floor employees can read and confirm execution of production orders as well as access additional assembly information from a single screen. In addition, the worker guidance app controls the operation of tools such as screwdrivers and other add-ons, helping ensure efficient and accurate execution of assembly tasks.
During a trial of the new app, TRUMPF Hüttinger found that it now takes only a third of the time previously needed to access and enter information related to work orders, significantly increasing productivity. What’s more, “poka yoke” logic guides workers through each step in sequence. The Japanese term “poka yoke” refers to continuous quality improvement by avoiding (yoke) accidental mistakes (poka). This helps ensure that nothing is missed, reducing costly and time-consuming rework.
Meanwhile, the process of creating product assembly guidance for factory-floor employees also takes less time. Thanks to an approach that involves multiple reusable “building blocks” of information, creating step-by-step instructions for each product is now two times faster. Furthermore, the fact that changes to the guidance can be made quickly and simply by nontechnical users means that TRUMPF Hüttinger can react in an agile way to evolving requirements.
Exploring how new apps can improve business-wide processes
Following the successful trial, TRUMPF Hüttinger plans to deploy the worker guidance app across its plants in Germany, Poland, and China. As a result, the app will be used to provide assembly instructions for thousands of product variants across its assembly lines.
Thanks to the knowledge gained from the consultants from SAP, in-house teams now have the confidence to use SAP Build Apps to create new apps for other areas of the business. The company plans to increase the number of personnel that can use the tool and is currently rolling out a training program in app development.
Use cases for new apps that the company is currently exploring include a logistics guidance app to help warehouse operatives through the order-picking process. In addition, TRUMPF Hüttinger is looking at using the SAP Build Process Automation solution to streamline the creation of customer orders and the confirmation of supplier orders, using artificial intelligence to trigger automated processes.
Using capabilities offered by SAP Integration Suite, the company plans to integrate these new apps with its existing IT landscape. In this way, it aims to support smooth end-to-end processes across its operations.