Curtiss-Wright Cuts Order Processing From 7 Days to 24 Hours With RFID
Overview
Curtiss-Wright is a global industrial manufacturer with roots in aerospace innovation, producing high-performance valves and components for aerospace, defense, and energy. To optimize its valve assembly operations, Curtiss-Wright partnered with Arrowhead, Xemelgo, and Zebra Technologies to deploy a comprehensive, site-wide RFID system.
The Challenge
Limited work-in-process visibility and long lead times across a valve assembly operation with millions of part variations.
- Limited visibility into WIP, making it difficult to manage and expedite aging or hot production orders
- Long production lead times driven by a complex product mix with millions of part variations
- Heavy reliance on institutional knowledge as experienced workers retired and new employees ramped up
- Low morale and frustration from non-value-added time spent searching for valves
The Solution
Arrowhead worked alongside Xemelgo and Zebra to deploy a site-wide RFID system that automatically tracks production orders, surfaces bottlenecks in real time, and feeds live data into Curtiss-Wright's business intelligence tools.
Automated WIP tracking
RFID labels attached to job travelers and RFID readers deployed sitewide automatically track every production order.
Proactive operations management
Real-time alerts and a management map dashboard surface department health and flag aging, delayed, and expedited orders to eliminate bottlenecks.
Data integration
APIs seamlessly feed RFID data into Curtiss-Wright's Power BI tools, enhancing data-driven decision-making.
Watch the story
See how the RFID system transformed Curtiss-Wright's valve assembly operations.
"I have nothing but compliments for all parties involved. This has been the smoothest integration and implementation I have ever experienced — everything went smoothly."
Featured Products & Solutions
Zebra FX9600 Fixed RFID Reader
Rugged fixed reader delivering industry-leading read rates and accuracy in high-volume environments.
Zebra MC3300 RFID Mobile Computer
Handheld RFID reader for lightning-fast, accurate capture on challenging tags.
Zebra ZT400 Series Industrial Printer
Durable, RFID-capable industrial printer for encoding job-traveler labels.