3 Inventory Strategies to Make Your Supply Chain More Efficient
In today’s competitive marketplace supply chain managers and procurement teams are constantly striving to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Stay a step ahead of your competitors by implementing one or more of the following inventory strategies:
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KanBan
Developed by Toyota in the 1950s KanBan controls the flow of product from the supplier to the production facility. KanBan allows manufacturers to replenish their inventory as parts are used instead of carrying large inventories. In addition, KanBan systems provide a means of forecasting demand so that shortages can be avoided. A key component of the KanBan system is the KanBan card. Now primarily electronic, KanBan cards indicate to the supply chain that more parts are needed. KanBan cards usually take the form of email messages or other electronic signals to the supplier. Once the signal is received the supplier ships the parts needed to meet production demand.
A simple example of a KanBan program is a three bin system. In the three bin system the first bin is on the factory floor (the point of demand), the second bin is in the factory warehouse, and the third bin is in supplier’s warehouse. When the first bin on the factory floor is depleted, the inventory is transferred from the second bin in the factory warehouse. At this point the KanBan card (electronic signal) is sent to the supplier and the parts are sent from the third bin (supplier inventory) to replenish the inventory at the factory warehouse (the second bin).
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Kitting
Kitting is the process of packaging parts together that are used in production assemblies. Instead of pulling parts from multiple bins for an assembly, a single bin containing kitted parts can be utilized. Manufactures can simply specify the required parts for the kit and the parts are packaged together. In addition to reducing assembly times, kitting reduces procurement and inspection times as well.
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Consignment Inventory
Consignment inventory is stock that is still owned by the supplier and stored in their warehouse but allocated to a specific client. Consignment inventory allows manufacturers to pull in stock as needed without incurring the costs of the parts and storing inventory immediately. Another benefit of consignment inventory is the ability to avoid shortages by having dedicated stock available.
bisco makes inventory management easy
As a full service distributor of electronic components and fasteners bisco industries offers KanBan, kitting, and consignment inventory capabilities as well as many other supply chain services. Regardless of your requirements we will work with you to develop and implement the solution that is right for you. To learn more about bisco’s inventory management solutions visit biscoind.com or contact a sales rep now.
Supply Chain Continuity: Diminishing the Risk of Shortages
Technology + Personal Service = Supply Chain Optimization
bisco industries is uniquely positioned to support supply chain continuity by monitoring industry wide stock levels to make sure you have the parts you need for production. This is made possible by bisco’s growing customer base which includes clients in the aerospace, industrial, medical, electronics, and telecom industries. Furthermore bisco’s wide ranging product catalog allows us to monitor demand for all types of items from rivets to power supplies.
bisco utilizes a proprietary system that identifies changes in stocking levels throughout the industry for high-use products. Using this data we are able to adjust stocking packages and alert customers to changes in demand. In addition to our digital monitoring systems, bisco’s extensive sales force works to identify and set custom inventory levels for high-risk items within customers’ production lines. Once an item is identified, customized inventory levels can be set for up to 18 months’ worth of product.
To learn more about reducing the risk of shortages by partnering with bisco talk with your local sales rep or visit biscoind.com today!
Need a Trusted Source For Boeing Parts?
Since 1973, the name bisco industries has been synonymous with quality parts and exceptional service. We are your local source for Boeing Airplane Company (BAC) parts and stock several BAC series including:
- BACN – Nuts
- BACB – Bearings
- BACS – Screws
- BACR – Retainers
- BACC- Clamps
- BACG – Grommets
- BACS – Seals
- And much more!
Our highly trained and knowledgeable sales staff have access to the Boeing Material Services Marketplace, allowing our team to source product directly from Boeing.
Top Tier QUALITY
bisco industries is proud to be AS9100 / ISO9001 certified, allowing us to better serve our customers in the aerospace and defense industries. In addition, we are ranked #13 in Quality Magazine’s Top 100 Quality Oriented Companies in America. Whether you’re an engineer specing out a project or a supply chain manager looking for a new source, bisco industries can provide the right solution. bisco industries boasts an online library of BAC parts as well as an experienced sales staff to answer your questions. We also offer extensive stock and online pricing and ordering so you can get your parts fast. Visit biscoind.com today!
Product Watch: Brady Labels
Labeling Solutions for Every Application
Brady labels and tapes provide a quick and accurate solution for a variety of equipment and facility identification needs. Brady’s label offering covers an extensive range of applications including manufacturing equipment, industrial equipment, shipping containers, laboratory signs and equipment, and wire and cable.
Labels are imperative to providing important information including instructions, warnings, and identification at the point-of-need. Brady offers labeling solutions for chemical and hazardous materials, electrical labels, facility, equipment and safety, indicating labels, lab labels, product ID labels, and wire and cable labels.
Brady labels have been designed and tested to last in many harsh environments, providing you the confidence to utilize them in almost any application. Brady offers material options that range from cost-effective economy labels to durable long-lasting labels.
Your Source for Brady Labels
bisco industries is your authorized stocking distributor for Brady labels. Regardless of your specific labeling needs, bisco can help you find the Brady item that is right for you. Visit biscoind.com to utilize updated e-commerce tools for Brady!
Benefits of Using biscoind.com
- The complete breadth of Brady product data has been added to the our website (200K+ pages).
- Users can filter through hundreds of Product Labels, Barcode Scanners, Label Printers, and Workplace Signage to select the right item and compare data sheets.
- Updated pricing and availability for over 3,000 of the most widely used Brady part numbers. If online pricing isn’t available, just email bisco’s e-commerce team and they’ll respond shortly.
Connecting you to Mill-Max Interconnect Solutions
For over 40 years Mill-Max has been leading innovation in the manufacturing of interconnect components. Mill-Max’s ability to provide innovative products and exceptional quality is a result of their unique approach to design and manufacturing. Mill-Max houses all of their processes under one roof including engineering, manufacturing, and quality control. In addition, Mill-Max uses proprietary high-speed turning machines which allow them to reduce tolerances and shorten lead times. Among Mill-Max’s broad range of products are spring-loaded connectors, IC sockets, TO sockets, IO sockets, pin receptacles, board-to-board connectors, pin headers, and PCB pins.
bisco industries is your authorized stocking distributor for Mill-Max pins, sockets, and interconnect solutions. bisco offers hundreds of Mill-Max products in stock, available for same day shipment. bisco’s goal is to help you optimize your supply chain by offering services such as kitting, bin stocking, bar coding, and just-in-time (JIT) delivery. To learn more about Mill-Max products and to get instant pricing and availability visit bisco industries’ online store.
3 Ways to Manage & Protect Cables
Wiring is a necessary evil of electronic devices. Think about that space behind (or under) your desk. If you’re anything like me there’s a tangled mess of wires waiting for you the next time you unplug a device. This type of chaos doesn’t just affect the space behind your desk. The fact is, most industrial and electronic applications face the same challenge of managing wires and cables. But there’s hope…
1. Wiring Duct
Wiring duct protects and manages cables by enclosing cables in a plastic runway and routing them to the desired location. Wires are placed in the “U” shaped trough of the wiring duct and then secured in place using a snap-on cover. Wiring duct can be solid or slotted to allow cables to rout to different locations. It is also available in a variety of materials including polypropylene (PP) and rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition many wiring ducts are UL rated to meet stringent application requirements. To find the right wiring duct for your application view the Panduit wiring duct product selection guide.
2. Cable Ties
Cable ties are an extremely economical and simple way to manage wires and protect them from damage. Cables ties are thin notched strips of durable material (usually plastic) with a locking loop at one end. Cable ties can be secured in place by wrapping the tie around the wires and pulling the flat end through the locking loop. The teeth in the locking loop secure the tie in place. Some cable ties also offer additional features such as ID labels (flag ties) and mounting brackets (clamp ties). Find a complete list of cable tie styles and sizes at biscoind.com.
3. Heat Shrink
Heat shrink is another effective way of protecting wiring. Heat shrink is flexible plastic tubing through which cables and wires are inserted. Once the wiring is inside the heat shrink is heated causing the plastic tubing to shrink. Once heated the heat shrink securely holds cables together while protecting them from the outside environment. Heat shrink comes in a wide variety of materials, sizes, and colors to meet diverse application requirements. Learn more by reviewing the handy heat shrink selection guide from Panduit.
Helping You Find the Right Cable Management Solution
With so many options when it comes to cable management it’s important to find the solution that’s best for your application. Whether you’re an engineer specing out a project or a supply chain manager looking for a new source, bisco industries can find the right solution for you. bisco industries boasts an online library of cable management products from Panduit as well as an experienced sales staff to answer your questions. We also offer extensive stock and online pricing and ordering so you can get your products fast. Don’t get lost in that mess of cables, visit biscoind.com today!
How Giant Flower Beetles and Wireless Technology Can Save Lives
Remote Controlled Bugs Could be the Future of Difficult Search and Rescues
Engineers at UC Berkeley and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have discovered the key to controlling the flight direction of giant flower beetles. Researchers at the universities worked together to create a small “backpack” that stimulates the beetle’s muscles to direct its flight path. By attaching tiny computers and wireless radios onto the backs of giant flower beetles, scientists determined that a muscle once only known for controlling the folding of wings is also imperative for steering the beetle. The ability to control the bugs’ flight path allows researchers to utilize the beetles as drones.
Research Details
The giant flower beetle (Mecynorrhina torquata) used in the study averages approximately 6 centimeters in length and about 8 grams in weight (equivalent to a one dollar coin). Since these beetles can typically carry at least 20% of their weight, the 1 to 1.5 gram backpack (about the weight of a paper clip) is not a problem for the beetle to carry. The tiny electronic backpacks are comprised of a 3.9 volt lithium battery, a wireless transmitter, and electrodes that connect to the beetle’s flight muscles and optic lobes. By stimulating the newly identified muscles with electrodes, researchers are able to control the beetle’s in-flight turns with great precision. In the study, signals were transmitted to the backpack at only 1000 Hz.
New developments in wireless technology have enabled researchers to better understand and fine-tune the control of the beetle’s muscles. Previously, the beetles had to be tethered which made it difficult for researchers to determine whether the beetle’s movements were natural muscular movements or movements being made to compensate for the interfering tether. Wireless technology has allowed the researchers to observe the results of their muscle-controlling electrodes in free-flying beetles.
What It All Means
A primary purpose of this research is to create a new way of aiding in search and rescue missions that would be too dangerous or inaccessible to humans. The idea is to equip the bug’s backpacks with a small microphone and thermal sensors and send the beetles into situations such as a collapsed building where there may be survivors buried in the rubble.
Aiding future Research & Development
The research UC Berkeley and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have done highlights the technological advances being made by universities around the globe. bisco industries frequently partners with local universities to help their engineers find the right components for demanding applications. Our knowledgeable reps have extensive experience and access to resources from hundreds of manufacturers. In addition, our partnerships with numerous manufacturers allows bisco to offer engineers the tiniest of electronic components (like those in the giant flower beetle’s backpack) as well as larger components and hardware used in flight controls. For more information on bisco industries’ catalog of electronic components or to contact a representative, visit biscoind.com.
Where To Find Heyco Universal Strain Relief Bushings
Snap-In Strain Relief Bushing Features
bisco industries is an authorized distributor of Heyco snap-in universal strain relief bushings for 1/2″ electrical knock-out holes. Heyco’s USR 400 and USR 401 snap-in universal strain relief bushings fit the widest range of cable sizes in the industry. In addition, each strain relief can be secured in place using the captive screw provided. The captive screw meets European standards which require that strain reliefs remain attached to the panel during cable removal or replacement.
Furthermore, the nylon 6/6 USR 400 and 401 snap-in strain relief bushings are UL rated under file E103540 and certified by the Canadian Standards Association under file 81067. They have a 94V-2 flammability rating and a temperature range of -.04°F (-18°C) to 221°F (105°c).
Installing Snap-In Strain Relief Bushings:
Installation is easy: fingertip pressure locks the bushing into .875″ (22,2 mm) diameter holes in panels up to .125″ (3,2mm) thick. Reinforcing ribs provide extra strength and the bell mouth contour (radiused at 1.5x the exit hole diameter) eliminates the need for a separate cord guard. Heyco snap-in strain relief bushings protect cables against forces of pull, push, twist, and flex.
Where Get Pricing & Find Associated Products
bisco industries not only offers Heyco strain relief bushings but also liquid tight cordgrips, grommets, liquid tight flexible conduit, caps, plugs, and solar power components. Contact your local bisco office or go biscoind.com to receive instant pricing and availability on Heyco products.
Open the door to Southco
Since 1945, Southco has been the leader in engineered access hardware solutions. Southco’s innovative techniques have resulted in a catalog of over 25,000 standard products and over 50,000 customized products. Southco’s product portfolio includes electronic rotary latches, cam/compresion latches, draw latches, push-to-close latches, captive screws, and hinges. Whether your application is an industrial vehicle or an electronic enclosure, Southco can offer the right solution for your needs.
Your local “touch Point” for Southco
bisco industries is your local authorized distributor for Southco. With six warehouses across North America, bisco stocks thousands of Southco products and provides same day shipments. In addition, bisco industries offers online pricing and ordering to make your purchasing process even easier. Visit biscoind.com to get product data, pricing, and availability at the click of a button.
Save Money with KATO Tangless Inserts!
Why Tangless Inserts = Cost Savings
As technology moves forward, customer expectations and demands for higher quality fasteners is at an all time high. KATO revolutionized the industry with the introduction of the Tangless® screw thread insert, the most advanced helically coiled screw thread insert in the market today.
Tangless® CoilThread® inserts are a continuous, helically-coiled, bi-directional, wire design. This innovative design allows for installation using a drive notch located at each end of the coil insert instead of a tang located at one end of the insert.
Because KATO Tangless inserts have a notch at both ends, this eliminates the need to orient the insert during installation and saves on production cost. But that’s not all…
After installing a tanged insert you have to go back and break off the tang, this process is eliminated with Tangless inserts. In blind holes the tang must be retrieved; this process is also eliminated with Tangless inserts. Tangless inserts are FOD-Free by design, so you never have to worry about contamination by a missed tang.
What It Means for your Bottom Line
The advantages of using KATO Tangless inserts are clear: less overall installation time means lower production costs and equates to money saved. In fact, customer studies show using a KATO Tangless insert can save from $0.15 – $0.50 per hole in labor costs.
Installation isn’t the only area of cost savings. KATO Tangless inserts can save thousands of dollars by eliminating the likelihood of damage to the machined part, and preventing the need to rework or even scrap parts. Having a notch on both ends means KATO Tangless inserts can be backed up (if installed too deep), or removed without any damage to the parent material or STI threads. Try that with a tanged insert!
So, what are you still waiting for? bisco industries carries a large selection of KATO Tangless CoilThread inserts and tools. Isn’t it time YOU go tangless?