TOBYHANNA WIRELESSLY CONNECTING AMC by Justin Eimers Public Affairs Office Tobyhanna Army Depot is installing new wireless technology at depots, arsenals and ammunition plants across the Army Materiel Command (AMC) to improve shop floor automation and provide increased data entry capabilities. The Logistics Modernization Program’s Increment II (LMP I2), otherwise known as the Expanded Industrial Base (EIB), is an AMC-directed project led, managed and implemented by the depot’s Production Management Directorate. The goal for the project is to provide additional functionality within LMP through Complex Assembly Manufacturing Solution (CAMS) software, including item unique identification and automatic identification technology (AIT). “If you think of LMP as a file cabinet, CAMS allows a user to go into each drawer and create folders,” said Larry Gaik, EIB technical lead in the directorate’s Enterprise Resource Planning Division. “This new software will bring more data straight to the fingertips of employees on the shop floor, allowing them to better perform their jobs and support the warfighter.” One of the tools that will be deployed to accomplish this is an upgraded AIT mobile solution using laptops and tablets with built-in scanners, replacing old AIT devices that limited data transfer and storage. Tobyhanna is in the process of testing new devices that far exceed the previous AIT solution and enable user access to LMP and CAMS through a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). The WLAN effort will install both hardware and software at 15 AMC sites to support the upgrade to LMP I2. New wireless networks will light up shop areas currently without wireless capabilities, allowing AIT devices to perform a wide range of tasks. “New LMP I2 site requirements were identified and these components were used to develop a detailed wireless design plan which will enable AIT devices to be incorporated into the infrastructure without any degradation in service or operational readiness,” said Amanda Totten, production controller in the Production Management Directorate’s Systems Integration and Support Operations Division. Due to the size and scope of the upgrades, Totten said it is vital that the depot maintain a close working relationship with AMC to ensure each goal is met. “Being awarded the project to install WLANs across so many sites gives the depot an opportunity to show its electronics excellence while improving processes and workflow throughout AMC,” she said. EIB and WLAN development began in early 2012 with wireless network installations set to begin next month. The expanded industrial base is slated for deployment in early 2016. “Tobyhanna has been a leader in the use of LMP and its capabilities,” said Joseph Masi, EIB program manager. “My expectation is that we will be a leader in CAMS as soon as it’s fully-implemented.” Beginning next January, there will be a four-article series detailing both programs, providing important status updates and highlighting significant items along the way. Track the progress of each project by looking for a corresponding symbol with each article in the series.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 12:24:47 +0000
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