Prompting for Training and Knowledge Transfer
Manufacturing expertise often lives in the heads of experienced operators. AI can help capture and transfer this knowledge.
Scenario: Creating Training Materials
Good prompt: "I need to create a training guide for new machine operators on our CNC milling machines. The guide needs to cover: basic machine operation, setup procedures, tool changing, quality checks, common problems and how to respond, and safety protocols. The audience is people with no prior CNC experience. Break this down into a structured training program with learning modules, hands-on exercises, and competency assessments. Make the language clear and practical, avoiding technical jargon where possible. For each topic, suggest what should be covered and approximately how much training time is needed."
Scenario: Documenting Tribal Knowledge
Good prompt: "One of our most experienced operators is retiring in 3 months. He's been running our complex multi-axis machining center for 15 years and knows things that aren't documented anywhere. Help me design a knowledge capture process: what questions to ask him, how to document the information he provides, how to organize it for future reference, and how to validate that we've captured what's most critical. Include questions about: machine quirks and workarounds, optimal speeds and feeds for different materials, troubleshooting techniques, quality tricks, setup shortcuts, and anything else that's typically undocumented."
Prompting for Safety and Compliance
Safety is non-negotiable in manufacturing. AI can help you maintain comprehensive safety programs.
Scenario: Conducting Safety Audits
Good prompt: "I need to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of our welding and fabrication shop. The shop has 8 welding stations, 4 grinders, 2 press brakes, and various hand tools. We employ 15 welders and fabricators. Create a detailed safety audit checklist covering: PPE compliance, machine guarding, housekeeping, electrical safety, chemical storage, emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, first aid), ergonomics, and any other relevant safety categories. For each item, indicate what to look for, what the standard should be, and what constitutes a violation requiring immediate correction."
Scenario: Investigating Safety Incidents
Good prompt: "We had a minor injury yesterday: an operator cut their hand on a sharp edge while handling a finished part. The cut required 4 stitches but the employee returned to work today. I need to conduct a proper incident investigation. Walk me through the investigation process: what information to gather, who to interview, what questions to ask, how to identify root causes (not just immediate causes), and how to develop corrective actions that actually prevent recurrence. Also help me understand what documentation is required and how to communicate findings and actions to the team without creating a blame culture."
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