In manufacturing, downtime refers to any period in which a manufacturer is no longer producing goods. Downtime can be caused by equipment failure, scheduled asset maintenance, and other causes like problems with labor or supply
. Downtime can be costly for manufacturers, as it can impact the bottom line and affect routine daily processes
. Here are some strategies for managing factory line downtime:
- Perform preventive maintenance: Regular maintenance can help prevent equipment failure and reduce unplanned downtime
.
- Upgrade hardware and software where possible: Upgrading equipment and software can improve efficiency and reduce downtime
.
- Audit your business equipment: Regularly auditing your equipment can help identify potential issues before they cause downtime
.
- Invest in staff training: Properly trained staff can help prevent downtime by identifying and addressing issues before they become larger problems
.
- Provide clear visuals to indicate when a line is down: Clear visuals can help operators quickly identify when a line is down and escalate the message if the line remains down for an extended period of time
.
- Make a conscious decision to move forward with each downtime loss in one of two ways: Either accept the loss and move on, or investigate the root cause and take corrective action to prevent it from happening again
.
- Centralize bookkeeping and manufacturing processes using software: Software can help streamline processes and reduce the likelihood of errors that can cause downtime
.
It's important to note that downtime management strategies will vary depending on the specific needs of your organization. However, by implementing some of these strategies, manufacturers can reduce downtime and improve overall efficiency.
Nubis 365 has a working system which handles 12 packing lines and five process lines producing and packing breakfast cereal. This business is FMCG in action and the downtime system is invaluable to them.
The BI is powered by Power Bi and the data is stored on a SQL express server. This is free to a point but the downtime system generates very efficiant data.
The system also handles process data so no more foreing body risks in the form of pens and clipboards. It also negates the need for data entry as the system in this particluar environment is networked allowing full data sharing and a rich Power Bi Desktop.
Its been running now for three years so yes it works :).
It has beaten off many challengers in the automation game and none of them quite cut it like a trained human who needs to be on the line anyway.
The OEE is generated from the line information and process data. The downtime element - Availability is very rich in additional data.
Give us a call if you want to get a grip on your down time.
(01536) 428937
