Transforming Wiring for Low Voltage CC
Transforming Wiring for Low Voltage CC
Digitizing assembler process to save $4M annually
Digitizing assembler process to save $4M annually
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
User Experience Lead
Interaction Design
Visual Design
User Experience Lead
Interaction Design
Visual Design
DELIVERABLES
DELIVERABLES
Component Libraries
Research Insights
High Fidelity Designs
Component Libraries
Research Insights
High Fidelity Designs
TEAM
TEAM
Designers
Developers
CAD Team
Manufacturing Engineer
Designers
Developers
CAD Team
Manufacturing Engineer
YEAR
YEAR
2022 - 2026
2022 - 2026
What was the problem?
Wiring up a cabinet
is expensive.
Wiring up a cabinet
is expensive.
The Company was losing upwards of $4M due to assembly errors.
The Company was losing upwards of $4M due to assembly errors.
Since wiring is a specialized skill, and even experienced personnel can make mistakes. We identified it as a key factor behind rising costs and quality issues. Not only that but it leads to some gross numbers and errors.
The traditional method of wiring cabinets involves looking at schematics which are drawn in A0 size sheets.
There are multiple A0 sheets (around 8 to 10)
Assemblers have to cross check everything in the sheet, then focus on cabinet, then back to sheets
No ability to mark and comment on anything
They have to re-verify if a wire is installed or not
The traditional method of wiring cabinets involves looking at schematics which are drawn in A0 size sheets.
There are multiple A0 sheets (around 8 to 10)
Assemblers have to cross check everything in the sheet, then focus on cabinet, then back to sheets
No ability to mark and comment on anything
They have to re-verify if a wire is installed or not
60%
60%
Motor Control Centre labor is wiring
Motor Control Centre labor is wiring
48%
48%
Production issues are
wiring related
Production issues are
wiring related
4+ weeks
4+ weeks
Training required to
read a schematic
Training required to
read a schematic
#1 reason to quit
#1 reason to quit
Job complexities sited as the main reason to quit. These include training and schematic reading.
Job complexities sited as the main reason to quit. These include training and schematic reading.
The Solution
Digitizing wiring process
Digitizing wiring process
Digitization helps in keeping track of the wiring progress and changes.
Digitization helps in keeping track of the wiring progress and changes.
The new method involves assemblers interacting with our application.
They can keep track of project status
Can create comments and highlight wires.
Application assists in wiring by providing instructions and Model.
The new method involves assemblers interacting with our application.
They can keep track of project status
Can create comments and highlight wires.
Application assists in wiring by providing instructions and Model.
So the application needs to be user-friendly, easy to navigate and there should not be a high learning curve.
The Research
Researching what assemblers face
Researching what assemblers face
Researching what assemblers face
Our research led us to discover the problems technicians face with the traditional method. During the discovery phase, we focused on two main goals:
- Gather insights on user behavior and the actual problem they face daily
- Research on some of the competitor apps in the market right now
Conducting user interviews
Conducting user interviews
Conducting user interviews gave us much needed insights on the current process and how assemblers experience affect the build.
Conducting user interviews gave us much needed insights on the current process and how assemblers experience affect the build.
Conducting user interviews gave us much needed insights on the current process and how assemblers experience affect the build.
To ensure the best results, we developed an early prototype that included the core features of the final app. We then tested it with real users, which gave us valuable insights into their behavior, needs, and expectations when using a new application.
To ensure the best results, we developed an early prototype that included the core features of the final app. We then tested it with real users, which gave us valuable insights into their behavior, needs, and expectations when using a new application.
User Personas
We talked with lots of users with varying experience
We talked with lots of users with varying experience
Our user personas ranged from:
- Assemblers who were very experienced in the field with more than 10-12 years of experience
- Assemblers who were completely new to the system and had no prior experience
"
Introducing new things should not alter my workflow too much. I still want the freedom to work the assemblies as I want to.
Introducing new things should not alter my workflow too much. I still want the freedom to work the assemblies as I want to.
Jessica Guadalupe
Jessica Guadalupe
Age : 45 years
Age : 45 years
Role : Senior Assembler
Role : Senior Assembler
As a 20-year veteran of assembly work, Jessica is so proficient that she no longer requires schematics for assembly projects, and other assembler often seek her guidance because of her expertise. This causes her to sometimes missing her own monthly assembly targets. To support her effectively, the new application should integrate seamlessly into her established workflow without creating unnecessary complexities.
As a 20-year veteran of assembly work, Jessica is so proficient that she no longer requires schematics for assembly projects, and other assembler often seek her guidance because of her expertise. This causes her to sometimes missing her own monthly assembly targets. To support her effectively, the new application should integrate seamlessly into her established workflow without creating unnecessary complexities.
Main Points :
Main Points :
Don't want the application to change her workflow too much that she mastered over 20 years.
Application should be easy to follow and built keeping users with less exposure to tech in mind.
Records of the assemblies she has done.
Don't want the application to change her workflow too much that she mastered over 20 years.
Application should be easy to follow and built keeping users with less exposure to tech in mind.
Records of the assemblies she has done.
"
I don't have much experience in assembly work and I want my application to make things simpler for me.
I don't have much experience in assembly work and I want my application to make things simpler for me.
Miguel Carrera
Miguel Carrera
Age : 21 years
Age : 21 years
Role : New Assembler
Role : New Assembler
As a new assembler, Miguel has gone through comprehensive training in both mechanical and electrical assemblies, though the latter required a twelve-week deep dive into mastering complex schematics and specialized tools. To support his transition into the team, the application should prioritize clarity and ease of use, ensuring he can perform his tasks effectively with minimal additional training.
As a new assembler, Miguel has gone through comprehensive training in both mechanical and electrical assemblies, though the latter required a twelve-week deep dive into mastering complex schematics and specialized tools. To support his transition into the team, the application should prioritize clarity and ease of use, ensuring he can perform his tasks effectively with minimal additional training.
Main Points :
Main Points :
Even after training he still is not clarified on many aspects of assembly process.
Whenever Miguel is stuck, he seeks the assistance of senior assemblers which halts their progress on their assemblies.
The application should be user intuitive, and should make the workflow simpler.
Even after training he still is not clarified on many aspects of assembly process.
Whenever Miguel is stuck, he seeks the assistance of senior assemblers which halts their progress on their assemblies.
The application should be user intuitive, and should make the workflow simpler.
The Design Process
Overview from idea
to concept
Overview from idea
to concept
Following an agile approach to the design and development. We followed a the simple process going from research all the way to delivering the final outcomes to the devs for implementation.
Research
Discovery Phase
User Interviews
Competitive Analysis
Idea Generation
Defining Problem
User Journey
Edge Cases
Solutions
User Flow
Wireframing
Prototyping
Edge Cases Design
Testing
Internal Testing
Usability Testing
Delivery
Figma Files
Design Assets
Solutions QA
Research
Discovery Phase
User Interviews
Competitive Analysis
Idea Generation
Defining Problem
User Journey
Edge Cases
Solutions
User Flow
Wireframing
Prototyping
Edge Cases Design
Testing
Internal Testing
Usability Testing
Delivery
Figma Files
Design Assets
Solutions QA
Mapping out the journey
Mapping out the journey
Sketching out the wireframes
Sketching out the wireframes
Ideas Coming Together
Flying from concepts to actual design
Flying from concepts to actual design
It was finally great to see our ideas coming together to create and develop the application.
Implementing The Solution
Building the application with CAD features and wire tracking
Building the application with CAD features and wire tracking
We digitized the whole process of wiring.
We digitized the whole process of wiring.
Putting everything together we built a user-friendly application with key features like Bluetooth voltmeter integration, downtime reporting, project commenting, and interactive CAD model viewing.
Putting everything together we built a user-friendly application with key features like Bluetooth voltmeter integration, downtime reporting, project commenting, and interactive CAD model viewing.
Before
No paper trail
No paper trail
12 weeks to train
12 weeks to train
Wiring prone to errors
Wiring prone to errors
After
Paper trail availability
Paper trail availability
6-8 weeks to train
6-8 weeks to train
Reduced error rate
Reduced error rate
Testing It Out
Launching in the plants
Launching in the plants
Digital Pilot was a success and we took all the feedback users gave us. After implementing the changes we launched the app for real production.
Digital Pilot was a success and we took all the feedback users gave us. After implementing the changes we launched the app for real production.
$4m+
$4m+
Savings so far
Savings so far
-60%
-60%
Faster onboarding
Faster onboarding
+65%
+65%
Improved retention
Improved retention
-55%
-55%
Fewer wiring issues
Fewer wiring issues
-15%
-15%
Less rework needed
Less rework needed
Here's the summary
To summarize everything
To summarize everything
We created a video package which highlights the problem, the research and iterations, and the solution we created.
Key Metrics
4M$
4M$
4M$
Saved so far
Saved so far
60%
60%
60%
Faster Onboarding
Faster Onboarding
6 weeks
6 weeks
6 weeks
Training time reduced (from 10 weeks)
Training time reduced
(from 10 weeks)
55%
55%
55%
Reduction in errors
Reduction in errors
Have a project you’re excited about?
Drop me a message.
Have a project you’re excited about?
Drop me a message.
Have a project you’re excited about?
Drop me a message.
Have a project you’re excited about?
Drop me a message.
Let’s team up and make something amazing.
Let’s team up and make something amazing.
Let’s team up and make something amazing.