Increasing OEE – Optimizing Production Efficiency
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is an important metric in the manufacturing industry that measures and optimizes the performance and efficiency of production equipment. In this article, you will not only learn how to increase OEE, but also how to increase the associated production efficiency.
Definition and calculation of the key figure
The OEE indicator represents the actual performance of a machine or system in relation to its theoretical maximum performance. It is expressed as a percentage and takes into account three main components: availability, performance and quality:
- Availability: The proportion of the planned uptime in which the machine is actually running.
- Performance: The actual production speed in relation to a maximum possible speed.
- Quality: The proportion of defect-free products in total production.
The OEE is calculated by multiplying the three components: OEE = availability x performance x quality.
OEE in industry
OEE is an important tool for identifying potential for improvement and increasing production efficiency in your company. On the one hand, it enables companies to evaluate their performance and, on the other hand, to take targeted measures to optimize processes.
Increase in OEE
With targeted measures to improve availability, performance and quality, you can sustainably increase OEE.
1. Measures to improve availability
- Preventive maintenance and servicing, e.g. to reduce machine breakdowns and unplanned downtimes.
- Optimization of production planning and control to minimize set-up and changeover times.
- Introduction of shift models and adaptation of the work organization in order to increase the machine running time.
2. Measures to improve the performance factor
- Analyze and optimize workflows and process steps to identify and eliminate bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
- Use of automation and digital technologies to subsequently increase production speed and reduce manual tasks.
- Improvement of machine and plant technology in order to increase the maximum possible speed and optimize energy efficiency.
3. Measures to improve the quality score
- Introduction of quality management systems and standards that improve process quality and defect detection.
- Regular training and further education of employees in order to increase the qualifications and skills in handling the production facilities.
- Leverage real-time monitoring and analysis to quickly identify quality issues and troubleshoot them promptly.
Evaluation and prioritization of measures
In order to identify the appropriate measures to increase OEE, companies should carry out a systematic assessment and prioritization of the measures. This can be done, for example, through a cost-benefit analysis or the application of lean management methods.
Implementation of improvement measures
The successful implementation of improvement measures to increase OEE in industry requires a systematic approach that includes the following steps:
- Identification of improvement potentials by analysing the current OEE values and the underlying factors.
- Develop action plans and targets to improve availability, performance, and quality.
- Implementation of measures with the involvement of employees and continuous monitoring of implementation and successes.
- Regular review of OEE values and adjustment of measures if necessary.
- Communicating results and successes within the company to encourage employee engagement and support a continuous improvement process.
Recommendation for action to improve OEE
In order to increase OEE in the long term, companies should observe the following recommendations for action:
- Involve employees in the improvement process and create an understanding of the importance of OEE.
- Investing in modern technologies and automation to improve data collection and analysis and make production processes more efficient.
- Continuous improvement and adaptation of measures to changing conditions and production requirements.
Result
Increasing OEE is therefore not only a decisive factor in optimizing production efficiency, but also has an impact on the competitiveness of companies in the manufacturing industry. Finally, through targeted measures to improve availability, performance and quality, companies can sustainably increase their OEE and, based on this, increase their productivity. Successful implementation of improvement measures requires a systematic approach and the involvement of employees in the process.