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Enhance your machine with QR codes
What does a QR code on a machine have to do with a spare parts catalogue? At first glance, perhaps not much, but…
An innovation
The ‘Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230’ introduces changes regarding the provision of machinery documentation; these changes will come into force in January 2027.
Until now, the operating instructions for a machine always had to be supplied in paper form. In future, this will no longer be mandatory; it will then be permissible to provide the documentation in (exclusively) digital form. This will help to reduce costs, whilst, in any case, digital documentation is generally preferred to its paper counterpart even today.
Possible implementation
Access to the machine documentation, in particular the operating instructions, must be as accessible as possible.
This could be achieved, for example, by installing the documentation on an industrial PC that is connected to the machine and is used for tasks such as predictive maintenance or production data acquisition. However, this requires that the PC remains powered even after the machine has been switched off and can at least be used to display this documentation.
Alternatively, the documentation may be made available via an online portal, provided that access is unimpeded. This can be ensured, for example, by affixing a QR code to the machine in a location that is easy to find but protected from dirt, which contains a URL linking to the documentation.
A distinction must be made between operational and security-related information, which must be able to be displayed ‘directly’ – that is, without the need for a login procedure – and more detailed technical information, which should only be made available to specific staff members.
In the simplest case, the QR code therefore points to a PDF file that can be accessed directly via a URL on a server.
Electronic spare parts catalogue
The solutions currently available for electronic spare parts catalogues generally allow online access and often include the option to integrate additional documents.
In this way, a ‘simple’ spare parts catalogue can be transformed into a comprehensive ‘service information system’ in which all the information required for the operation, maintenance, servicing and repair of a machine is brought together – and, ideally, linked together.
So, if you use the relevant software, the following scenario is possible:
- The spare parts catalogue will be supplemented with additional documents (at least the operating instructions).
- A QR code is affixed to the machine; this links to the online spare parts catalogue and includes the serial number and machine type.
- When you access the online spare parts catalogue via this URL, it opens in ‘guest mode’ and displays the operating instructions for this machine.
- A login function allows authorised users to access further information – such as the spare parts catalogue itself, but also repair manuals, for example.
SpareParts365 has all the necessary features and capabilities – please get in touch with us!
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