OEE – Overall Equipment Effectiveness

Production lines that regularly come to a standstill, machines that do not run as planned and low-quality products are common challenges in manufacturing. OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) provides a solution by evaluating the efficiency of a plant by measuring availability, performance and quality. A precise OEE analysis makes it possible to identify inefficient processes, minimise downtimes and maximise productivity. In this way, OEE helps to increase production efficiency and sustainably improve competitiveness.

Table of Contents

Definition: Was ist OEE?

OEE, or Overall Equipment Effectiveness, is a key performance indicator in production technology that evaluates the efficiency and productivity of machines and systems. The OEE value is given as a percentage and shows how productive a machine really is. It indicates how much of the potential productivity is lost due to breakdowns, slow working speed and faulty products.

The OEE is made up of three key factors: Availability, performance and quality.

Main factors of Overall Equipment Effectiveness

By analysing the factors of availability, performance and quality, the efficiency of production facilities can be precisely determined and optimised in a targeted manner.

  • Availability: This measures how much time the machine is actually running compared to the planned production time. It shows how often the machine is in operation and how often it comes to an unplanned standstill. High availability means fewer unplanned downtimes and more efficient production.
  • Performance: This factor compares the actual production speed with the maximum possible speed. It assesses whether the machine is working at its optimum capacity or whether there is a loss of speed. Optimum performance shows that production is running smoothly and no time is lost due to slow work processes.
  • Quality: This factor measures how many of the parts produced meet the quality requirements. It shows how many parts are free of defects and do not require reworking. High quality means fewer rejects and rework, which leads to cost savings and more efficient production.
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These three factors provide a comprehensive overview of the efficiency and productivity of a production plant. By precisely analysing availability, performance and quality, companies can identify weak points and take targeted measures to improve production processes.

Calculation of overall system effectiveness

When calculating the OEE, the three factors mentioned above are set in relation to each other. The general formula for the calculation is:

OEE Berechnung, Formel für Gesamtanlageneffektivität

What is a good OEE value?

The OEE value indicates how efficiently a machine or system works. A perfect OEE value would be 100%, which means that the machine delivers the best possible performance, has no downtime and only produces good products. In practice, however, this is difficult to achieve in the long term.

Good OEE values are 80 % or higher. This is a realistic and achievable value for many companies and shows that the machines are well utilised and efficient.

By calculating and visualising the OEE value, companies can recognise where there are losses and which machines are the bottlenecks in production. This helps to make targeted improvements. Machines that are not optimised and often only have an OEE value of 60% can be improved in order to increase efficiency.

The significance of OEE for industry

OEE plays a crucial role in industry as it evaluates the efficiency and productivity of production facilities. By analysing the three main factors - availability, performance and quality - companies can identify weak points in their processes and take targeted improvement measures. A high OEE means that the machines are optimally utilised, which leads to an increase in overall productivity, a reduction in production costs and an improvement in product quality. This increases competitiveness and contributes to long-term profitability.

Advantages of Overall Equipment Effectiveness for your company

Improved efficiency and productivity

A high OEE means that machines and systems are optimally utilised. This leads to a reduction in downtime and a maximisation of production speed. Companies can therefore manufacture more products in less time, which leads to a significant increase in productivity. Efficiently operating machines mean less downtime and therefore fewer production losses.

Reduction in costs

By optimising the OEE, companies can achieve considerable cost savings. Less downtime and rework means lower production costs. In addition, a higher quality of the parts produced leads to fewer rejects and rework, which further reduces costs. Companies can thus utilise their resources more efficiently and improve their profit margins.

Competitive edge

Companies that continuously monitor and optimise their OEE can significantly increase their competitiveness. A high OEE not only means more efficient production, but also a faster response to market changes. Companies can react more flexibly and quickly to customer requirements, which gives them a decisive advantage over the competition.

Sustainability

Improved OEE also contributes to sustainability. Machines that work efficiently consume less energy and resources, which leads to a lower environmental impact. The reduction in rejects and rework also means less waste is produced. Companies that optimise their OEE therefore make an important contribution to environmental protection and sustainable production.

Optimisation of overall system effectiveness with the software from MK|Ware

Improve your production processes and increase the efficiency of your equipment with MK|Performance, which has been specially developed to optimise overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). This module monitors and improves the availability, performance and quality of your machines through advanced analysis methods and continuous monitoring of operating data in real time.

With precise performance data, MK|Performance helps you to minimise downtimes, optimise production speed and ensure product quality. User-friendly dashboards and customisable reports provide you with valuable insights into your production processes. This allows you to make informed decisions and respond proactively to challenges.

For companies that want to stay at the forefront of technological development, MK|Performance offers a robust solution to master the challenges of modern production environments. Secure a sustainable competitive advantage now!

Philipp Nicolai

Senior Product Manager

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