Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a metric used to measure the performance and productivity of a manufacturing or technological process. It provides insight into how efficiently a machine, production line, or entire production facility is being utilized.
Measuring OEE is a best manufacturing practice. Measuring OEE and the losses that drive it can provide valuable insights into how to systematically improve the production process. OEE is an effective metric for identifying losses and eliminating waste.
OEE determines the percentage of time spent in production that is truly productive. An OEE of 100% means that only high-quality parts are produced (100% quality), at maximum speed (100% productivity), and without interruptions (100% availability).
How is OEE measured?
1. Quality
The quality factor measures the rate of production of good quality products without defects or rework. It takes into account factors such as the production of defective items, defective parts, rework, and other quality-related issues.
2. Performance
Productivity refers to the actual speed or rate of equipment operation compared to its maximum or optimal speed. This takes into account factors such as equipment speed loss, minor stops, cycle time reduction, and other factors affecting equipment performance.
3. Accessibility
This factor measures the portion of the planned production time during which equipment is available and operational. It takes into account factors such as equipment failures, breakdowns, changeovers, setup times, and scheduled maintenance.
To calculate OEE, these three factors (availability, performance, and quality) are multiplied together:
OEE = Availability x Performance x Quality
By monitoring overall equipment effectiveness, manufacturers can identify areas where they can improve their production processes. For example, if a machine has low OEE due to unscheduled downtime, the manufacturer can investigate the causes of this downtime and take corrective action. Similarly, if a machine's low OEE is due to poor quality, the manufacturer can investigate the causes of the poor quality and take corrective action.
Power Technology Solutions offers a range of products designed to improve OEE. Our team of experts can also help identify ways to measure and subsequently improve OEE.
