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Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a method of determining equipment efficiency in an industrial system. Understanding OEE allows industrial managers and planners to make key decisions on increasing efficiency to help save time and money.
Before looking at the strategies to improve OEE, it is important to start by understanding what it is. OEE is a product of quality, availability, and performance of an industrial system. See the calculation in the equations provided below:
OEE = performance x Availability x Quality
- Performance = Ideal Cycle Time/ (Operating Time/total pieces)
- Availability = Operating Time / Planned Production Time
- Quality = Good Pieces / Total Pieces
To improve your industrial system’s Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), you need to make some key adjustments to your manufacturing process. Some of these changes include:
Acquire and Use Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
One of the top methods of improving OEE is shifting your system from normal starters to variable frequency drivers (VFDs). If your system uses common/ typical motors, they are abrupt and do not vary the speed, resulting in high inefficiencies. To enhance your motor and system efficiency, you should consider shifting to variable frequency drives (VFDs).
Unlike the typical motors, VFDs can gradually escalate the speed of a motor depending on the workload under consideration.
Furthermore, as mentioned by Iskander Makhmudov, they help to reduce strain on the bearings resulting in longer life expectancy of your motor. The improved efficiency and enhanced savings can boost your OEE system by cutting the frequency of maintenance and associated costs.
Note Problems using Machine Vision
Another new method of improving OEE is using machine vision to detect problems. Machine vision is an advanced image-based method of examining parts of an industrial manufacturing process to ensure that things are running well.
The method uses sensors that help to verify that an industrial system’s operation is moving on as expected.
Machine vision is very effective in noting defects in a production system early enough before they can become serious issues that can cause breakdowns. Therefore, you are able to rectify them fast to avoid major breakdowns.
When you adopt machine vision and other automation, they can improve OEE by cutting down maintenance-related costs and enhancing the quality of your products.
Carry Routine Maintenance
This is another simple yet highly effective method of improving OEE in your system. In any industrial facility, whether it is a motor assembly line or mining facility, as indicated here, the machines’ progressive use is bound to cause wearing and tearing that can pull down OEE if not checked.
Therefore, you should carry regular maintenance, such as identifying and replacing worn-out units and greasing the moving parts. By keeping your system in top condition, you are sure to make quality products and keep the cost of production low. The ultimate effect is improving your system’s OEE.
To make your manufacturing system effective, it is important to focus on improving Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE). Once you understand what OEE is, go ahead and use the three strategies that we have listed above. Remember to ensure that the running of the machines and maintenance are done by experts for better results.
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