For small or large manufacturing firms, machine idling  means enormous OEE Performance losses. Idle time is the silent killer of productivity and costs employers globally an estimated 100 billion dollars every year. Not only does idle time create direct performance losses, it also results in accelerated wear and tear for machines forced to run at suboptimal idling speeds. This creates OEE availability losses when machines go down and become unavailable for production. This makes optimizing idle time crucial for improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness.

Among the key metrics for any manufacturing facility, OEE includes the performance of machinery and production equipment.  In this article we will be looking at how Connected Worker Platforms can improve OEE Performance and cut down idling time.

What is OEE?

‍Simply put, OEE is the manufacturing industry standard for measuring productivity. OEE is measured based on three factors: Availability, Performance, and Quality.

For instance, a 100% OEE score can be translated into a combination of:

• 100% availability (with no production downtime)
• 100% performance (with no machine idling or stoppage time)
• 100% quality (with no defects)

Machine idling and unscheduled stops (even for a short time) can add to the overall production downtime.  OEE performance can be impacted by multiple factors including the following:

• Production throughput
• Total cycle time between production schedules
• Machine downtime
• The average time between machine failures and repairs
• Production schedules

How Connected Workforce Platforms improve OEE Performance

‍Here are some ways in which a technology-based Front Line Worker platform can improve OEE Performance:

1. Efficient production scheduling

^‍A Connected Worker platform empowers front line operators with on-demand knowledge resources including visual work instructions, digital workflows, and work assistance tools. This means that the more knowledgeable worker, can in turn, improve the speed and efficiency of production schedules enabling them to be started and completed on time.

2. Reduced machine downtime

‍With a Connected Workforce platform, front line operators have maximized operational visibility, along with improved communication with management. Maintenance job completion is automatically reported on the platform, thus enabling better decisions on preventive maintenance work.

3. Timely detection of machine stops

‍A Connected Workforce platform standardizes all manufacturing and maintenance jobs. With a Front Line Worker platform, management can easily detect production stoppages and slow performance more efficiently than with manual paper-based systems. This enables early detection of any production deviation or losses, along with the data necessary to find the root causes behind these issues.

4. Improved workforce collaboration

‍The availability of remote assistance tools and knowledge resources on Connected Workforce platforms means improved collaboration and communication among front line workers and experts. Real-time resource sharing helps in quickly finding and eliminating performance-related inefficiencies.

5. Improved machine monitoring through an augmented workforce

‍Overall, a Connected Workforce Productivity platform can improve the quality of machine monitoring and maintenance operations. Front line workers are better equipped to detect production wastes and ensure that production schedules are adhering to timelines. This allows front line workers to go from cogs in the machine to real problem solvers and improve equipment performance.

With its focus on the manufacturing domain, Atheer offers a complete low code/no code Front Line Worker platform designed to increase OEE by improving the quality of machine monitoring and related service tasks. Connected technologies are effective in creating efficient work and reducing common errors.