Education & Resources

Traceability in manufacturing helps manufacturers track how products move through production, what materials were used, and what checks were completed along the way. It plays an important role in quality control, audits, and resolving production issues when they...

Manufacturing traceability is the ability to track materials, components, and work through production, linking each step to a specific product or serial number. It matters because it creates a clear record of how a product was built, making it easier to meet audit...

A manufacturing traveller is a document that follows a product through production, setting out each step, what needs to be done, and what must be recorded. To create one, you define the process sequence, add clear operation-level detail, and include the checks and...

Every manufacturer wants to reduce production mistakes. The best way to do that? Use tools that make errors hard, or impossible, to happen in the first place.  Here’s a breakdown of the most effective error-proofing tools being used on the factory floor today, from...

Every factory has issues. The real difference is how quickly you catch them, how easily you trace them, and how confidently you fix them.  Without a clear process for production issue reporting, problems get lost in paperwork, operators stay silent, and quality slips...

Operator accountability means each person on the shop floor takes ownership of their part in the production process.  It’s not about blame, it’s about clarity, consistency, and traceability.  When operators know exactly what’s expected, and their actions are tracked,...

Operator training in manufacturing isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about making sure people know how to do the job safely, accurately, and consistently… without needing constant supervision.  If training isn’t clear or consistent, you’ll see it in the results:...

Digital Work Instructions are changing how manufacturers build products. By replacing paper manuals with step-by-step digital guidance, companies are cutting errors, speeding up training, and simplifying the shop floor. In this post, we’ll break down the real benefits...

At Metis Automation, we’re focused on two things: Evolving Tascus to stay ahead of how manufacturers work Supporting teams bringing smart, high-quality products to life In this manufacturing software update, we’re sharing the latest improvements to Tascus, and...

We’ve just rolled out the latest Tascus MES software update (v23.8.0.12), packed with features that improve digital work instructions, simplify QA sign-offs, and strengthen production traceability. If your factory still relies on paper processes or struggles with...

Improving manufacturing efficiency is about more than just speeding up processes—it’s about achieving precision, consistency, and eliminating waste. Without a structured approach, inefficiencies can lead to increased costs, production delays, and quality issues.  Many...

Manufacturing success isn’t about one-time fixes—it’s about building ongoing progress into your operations. Companies that embrace continuous improvement don’t just solve today’s challenges; they consistently raise the bar, staying competitive in an ever-changing...

Manufacturers are always searching for ways to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimise production. Yet, without the right tools to analyse manufacturing data, decisions often become reactive instead of proactive, leaving inefficiencies unresolved.  The...

Quality control in manufacturing works best when it’s built into the production process, with clear standards and checks applied as the product is being made. When those checks aren’t applied consistently, issues show up later as rework, missed defects, or variation...

In manufacturing, efficiency starts with consistency. Without a standardised process, businesses face inefficiencies, wasted resources, and quality risks that disrupt production and hinder growth.  For many manufacturers, variability in workflows is a persistent...

The transition to a paperless manufacturing process is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for manufacturers who want to stay competitive. But digital transformation isn’t just about adding new technology. It’s about creating efficient, standardised, and scalable...

In manufacturing, shutdowns are inevitable. Whether it’s for routine maintenance, upgrades, or unexpected issues, a well-planned shutdown can make all the difference between a smooth restart and a prolonged downtime. For manufacturing engineers, having a comprehensive...

In the evolving world of manufacturing, staying ahead of the competition requires more than just advanced machinery and skilled labour. It necessitates the adoption of sophisticated digital solutions that can streamline operations, enhance productivity, and ensure...

In the rapidly evolving manufacturing industry, traceability has become a critical component for ensuring quality, compliance, and efficiency. Implementing a robust traceability system allows manufacturers to track the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw materials...

In today's highly competitive manufacturing landscape, controlling costs while maintaining high quality is paramount. Lean manufacturing, a methodology that emphasises efficiency by eliminating waste and optimising processes, offers a powerful approach to achieving...

Clear and effective work instructions are crucial for ensuring quality and efficiency on the production floor. Work instructions provide detailed guidelines for workers to follow, helping to reduce errors, enhance safety, and maintain consistency in product output. As...

In today’s manufacturing industry, efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability are more crucial than ever. The traditional paper-based methods are not only cumbersome and prone to errors but also environmentally unfriendly. Enter the paperless manufacturing system – a...

Sustainability in manufacturing is no longer just a buzzword—it's a crucial element for the future of the industry. As environmental concerns grow and regulations tighten, manufacturers are seeking innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint, minimize waste, and...

One of the largest unseen impacts of the outdated manufacturing industry is the negative effect on people working in it. They are becoming demoralised, by building faulty products, caused by manual errors that could be avoided. The major inefficiencies holding back...

Increasing production output is a critical objective for any manufacturing business aiming to stay competitive. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by accurately measuring and increasing manufacturing output. Understanding the key metrics and...

In the competitive world of manufacturing, production efficiency is crucial for maintaining profitability and staying ahead of the competition. Efficient production processes reduce waste, minimise costs, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products....

Manufacturing is a critical component of many businesses, but it also represents a significant portion of operational expenses. Streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures can have a substantial impact on the bottom line. Here are some effective...

Introduction In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, operational risks are a constant threat to efficiency, safety, and profitability. From equipment malfunctions to human error, these risks can lead to significant downtime, financial losses, and even injuries....

Introduction In the competitive landscape of B2B manufacturing, exceeding customer expectations is crucial for fostering long-term relationships and driving sustained revenue growth. Unlike B2C transactions, B2B interactions involve complex, high-value orders and...

In today's rapidly evolving industrial landscape, leveraging technology has become essential for maintaining a competitive edge. A recent study revealed that manufacturers implementing advanced technology solutions experience an average efficiency increase of 30%....

Introduction In manufacturing, traceability means monitoring the journey of a product from the sourcing of raw materials, through the production process, and finally to the distribution and delivery to the end customer. This detailed tracking allows manufacturers to...

A Recap on Lean Manufacturing  Lean manufacturing is a systematic approach to production that aims to minimise waste while maximising value to the customer. Originating from the Toyota Production System, lean manufacturing focuses on creating more value with fewer...

Introduction Sustainability has become a critical operational imperative. Businesses face pressure to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and act in an environmentally responsible manner. Challenges include waste management, energy reduction, carbon footprint...

In the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing, striking the right balance between securing quick operational wins and laying the groundwork for long-term strategic goals is more critical than ever. This delicate balance is the key to not only surviving but thriving...

Introduction In manufacturing, product quality is key to customer loyalty, reputation, and profitability. However, maintaining high quality is challenging due to variable raw materials, complex processes, and manual checks. These challenges are even greater when...

Embracing the Digital Age in Manufacturing In the dynamic landscape of the automotive industry, the relentless quest for manufacturing excellence is more than a journey—it's a constant evolution. As we step into the digital age, this evolution presents both a...

Welcome to the Future of Manufacturing Picture a world where machines not only operate seamlessly but also have the foresight to alert you before they falter. Envision a manufacturing landscape where quality issues are identified and rectified well before they morph...

In industries where the stakes are exceptionally high, striving for zero-defect manufacturing is not merely ambitious—it's essential. This blog post explores the transformative role of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) in enhancing production outcomes. In...

The automotive manufacturing industry, especially in areas like single-part production, is witnessing a transformative shift with the integration of data analytics into manufacturing processes. This evolution, propelled by Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and...

Introduction At the heart of the automotive industry's evolution lies a commitment to sustainability, with carbon-neutral manufacturing leading the charge. The shift from traditional, paper-based systems to cutting-edge digital processes is not merely a trend but a...

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement in all aspects of an organization. It involves creating a culture of quality that permeates every level of the organization, from the top management to the shop floor...

Leave Paper Behind and Revolutionise Your Assembly Processes Digital work instructions are an essential tool for the manufacturing industry, particularly for assembly operations. Digital work instructions replace traditional paper-based work instructions with digital...

Hey, it's Martin from Metis Automation here.  I’m going to talk about non conformance reports in the manufacturing processes.  And the NCR or the non conformance report. More importantly, I am going to show you how Tascus can help and improve this process. The Current...

Hi, Martin here from Metis Automation. In my video, I am going to talk about how to configure our Manufacturing Execution System – Tascus.  You can use this fantastic tool to capture and record some of the downtime that you might experience in your manufacturing...

Tool Traceability When manual tools are used in the manufacturing process, it is very important for quality standards to record exactly which tool reference number has been used. It is also important to keep that aligned with its calibration records and its service...

Visual work instructions for a manufacturing process. What are they and why are they useful? Firstly, having things explained in a clear visual way, can speed up the training process, reduce errors and help to standardise processes across a manufacturing company....

Digital manufacturing travellers in a manufacturing process are required for traceability purposes. It's where you record every stage and every operation in the manufacturing process that's been completed. You capture key information like quality inspections,...

How would you get started with implementing a Manufacturing Execution System? There’s quite a lot already happening in manufacturing, and the process itself is complicated enough as it is. But what really affects the bottom line, is how you manage these processes. A...

Control is an imperative part of any manufacturing process, and reducing variation is a big step in ensuring control. Why? Because variation is a clear indicator that your manufacturing process is out of control. A high-quality process means the difference between...

Visual product inspection is critical, but we’re all only human – and humans are prone to error. While your factory likely has plenty of verification testing and automated inspections in place, it’s not uncommon for problems to continue slipping through the cracks. In...

Machine downtime can have a big influence on everything in your manufacturing process. In fact, not only does it affect the manufacturing process, but it can take a toll on your business operations as a whole. If you’ve experienced losses due to machine downtime,...

There’s little worse than having a slow production process. You can easily talk to unproductive employees, but slow machines are a different story altogether. Do you know what you call a process that has one thing slowing it down? A bottleneck. In order to run a...

What does it mean to have good visibility of your production processes?         Well, simply put, you need to know exactly what’s going on in your production process in order to make the right decisions when it comes down to the crunch. When...

Preventable mistakes in the manufacturing process are frustrating and annoying for your customer. But, they are also low hanging fruit for business improvement. When you have identified several mistakes that keep occurring in your manufacturing process or you have...

You rely on your manufacturing operations team to expedite production orders, to ensure that targets are met and orders fulfilled. With paper-based production systems, it’s impossible for operations teams to manage work in progress, from home. Manufacturing Execution...

Remote working has been popular with software companies and freelancers for the past 10 years, but it hasn't really taken off yet with manufacturers. With the current global pandemic of coronavirus, most government advice is to remote work where possible. So, in this...