OEE Practical Guide: Optimize the efficiency of your equipment

In the industrial sector, maximizing equipment efficiency, or OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), is crucial to competitiveness. Low OEE means significant losses due to frequent downtime, inferior production quality and reduced overall performance. Without accurate monitoring, plants cannot clearly identify sources of loss, which hampers improvements in productivity and profitability. OEE thus becomes a key indicator that plant managers need to monitor carefully to maintain and improve production line performance.

The main causes of low OEE often lie in bottlenecks, inefficient processes and inadequate maintenance. These factors lead to long downtimes, wasted raw materials and increased costs. Without proactive management and the right tools, such as real-time monitoring systems, operations become chaotic. The impact is not only visible on immediate production, but also extends over the long term, reducing the company’s competitiveness.

To halt this downward spiral, it is essential to adopt continuous improvement strategies such as Lean Manufacturing and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance). Digital tracking tools, such as those offered by TeepTrak, enable real-time monitoring of OEE across multiple lines, detailed analysis of downtime, and greater visibility over all aspects of production. By identifying precise inefficiencies at each stage of the process, these solutions enable industrial teams to implement targeted and effective corrective actions.

At a manufacturer of mechanical components, the use of TeepTrak enabled the company to go from an OEE of 55% to over 80% in less than a year. By accurately identifying the causes of downtime using sensors and an interactive dashboard, the company was able to reschedule maintenance and optimize production sequences. This use case demonstrates how the adoption of digital monitoring tools transforms operational responsiveness, improves performance and reduces production costs.

To start optimizing your OEE, start by measuring your equipment as closely as possible, using tools like TeepTrak. Analyze the data collected to identify your main levers for action. Launch a continuous improvement project by setting precise, measurable objectives. Digitizing your workshop is the key to sustained performance and enhanced competitiveness.

FAQ

Question 1: How does OEE impact production performance?

OEE, or overall equipment efficiency, measures machine productivity. Low OEE indicates inefficiencies that affect production, leading to more waste, higher costs and reduced competitiveness.

Question 2: Where do I start to improve OEE in my plant?

Start by measuring the current performance of your equipment. Then identify the main sources of loss using monitoring tools like those in TeepTrak, and implement continuous improvement actions.

Question 3: