Overall Equipment Effectiveness - DigiRail OEE Module

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

OEE measures manufacturing productivity. The calculations can be complex but the underlying principle is to gauge machine/process output as a percentage. 100% OEE equates to manufacturing only good parts (no losses) at full production speed with no break in production. 

In the real world of manufacturing this target may seem unrealistic but the objective of measuring and benchmarking provide important insights into how the process can be improved to drive the OEE upwards.

In order to measure OEE data needs to be compiled from the factory floor. Take the case of a simple conveyor belt with finished products leaving the end of line. A number of variables need to be measured to assess OEE. This would typically include a finished product count, bad or rejected part count and line status (run signal).

In order to gather the data a device is required which will support digital and analogue signals generated by the machine or process. This device needs to store and communicate the data for interpretation. 

Novus Automation have released the DigiRail OEE for this purpose. It can be fitted to machinery/processes and make use of existing network infrastructure to communicate data via MQTT or Modbus. This device offers a significant time and cost saving for the often difficult task of interfacing the machine.

A model such as the Wireless DigiRail OEE can start to collate useful information about a machine for interpretation in a back office or remote location. Using wireless networks eliminates the need for additional communications wiring around the factory.

Novus Automation have their own Cloud solution which can be used to create a dashboard for OEE analysis. However, one of the key benefits of the OEE model is that it will communicate to any device supporting MQTT or Modbus. Therefore the module can become part of a wider industrial network and be incorporated in a SCADA system.

To learn more please contact us