HP 8712ET User Manual Supplement page 13

Introduction
Automating Measurements
Use of automation improves the productivity of a measurement system
by increasing the system's throughput. Throughput is typically
measured as the amount of units or components produced over a
particular period of time. Throughput can be increased by minimizing
the time for the following factors:
• device handling time
• operator interaction time
• measurement speed
• data transfer speed
• computation speed (when applicable)
Be sure to consider all of these factors when choosing and setting up an
automated system.
Automating your measurements can help ensure consistent quality on a
production line. An automated system can perform repetitive tasks
quickly and consistently. Automation can be used to direct you through a
sequence of tests, to set instrument parameters, and to send prompts
with helpful directions or diagrams. Automation is also used to collect
data, to monitor production line performance, and to archive and analyze
data.
Using a consistent, documented production process, while monitoring
product quality, are important attributes of modern production and
quality standards such as ISO-9000. These attributes are best achieved
with an automated system.
NOTE Hewlett-Packard offers professional consulting services to help increase
your manufacturing productivity. A complete test process analysis can be
performed by HP system engineers, who will work with your factory
management, engineering, and production groups to evaluate various
automation solutions. For more information contact the nearest HP sales
office. Refer to the front of this book for a table of sales and service
offices.
Automating Measurements 1-3