Process Quality Control: Using OEE as a Performance Barometer
Abstract
In industries such as manufacturing, there are many different ways to control, measure and track process quality. Probably the most popular measure is known as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). It is typically used as a performance barometer that provides a quick snapshot of how well a production process is operating and can identify areas for improvement. This article will discuss the concept of OEE and how it is used to measure process quality.
Introduction
In the realm of process quality control, there are many tools that can be utilized for measuring and tracking progress. One popular measure of progress is known as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
OEE has become widely used within manufacturing as its popularity has grown due to its simplicity in providing a snapshot of how well a production process is performing. By using OEE as a performance barometer, companies can quickly identify areas of improvement within their processes.
What is OEE?
OEE is a measure of how efficiently a production process is operating, or in other words, how much is actually being produced in a given amount of time. OEE is expressed as a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating higher efficiency. It is important to note that OEE is not a measure of quality, as it only measures how much work is being completed.
How is OEE Calculated?
OEE is calculated by multiplying three factors: Availability, Performance and Quality. The formula looks like this: OEE = Availability x Performance x Quality.
Availability
Availability is calculated by dividing the actual run time of the process by the scheduled time for that process. This gives the percentage of time that the process was available to produce.
Performance
Performance is measuring the speed of the process. It is calculated by averaging the rate at which parts were produced compared to the expected rate.
Quality
Quality is a measure of how many parts produced were considered acceptable. It is calculated by dividing the actual number of good parts by the total number of parts produced.
Conclusion
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a popular measure of process efficiency used in the manufacturing industry. It provides a snapshot of how well a production process is operating and is expressed as a percentage. It is calculated by multiplying the three factors of availability, performance and quality. OEE is typically used as a performance barometer, allowing companies to quickly identify areas that need improvement in their production processes.
