OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency) is a three-letter acronym that has a major impact in the manufacturing industry! Ever talked about numbers with an engineer? Did their eyes lighten as they discussed how efficient the machine was? OEE can help you. OEE should be considered a checkup on your machines. It is not only a way to measure your equipment, it can also be used to determine if you are running on all cylinders.

Why does everyone talk about OEE so much as if it was the holy grail. In essence it exposes the performance and efficiency of manufacturing equipment. OEE identifies how your machines are being used, whether they produce quality outcomes and if they perform efficiently. This three-dimensional approach–or call it the Three Amigos: Availability. Performance. and Quality.

You know how it feels when you have planned the perfect BBQ, but then it starts to pour cats and dogs? This is similar to equipment downtime. Imagine if suddenly your machinery went out. OEE helps pinpoint these hiccups. Availability refers to the percentage of time a machine is on and running as opposed to its downtime. It includes all types of breakdowns – whether they are unplanned, due to scheduled maintenance, or simply the switch on-off routine.

Now, let’s speak about speed. Have you tried running a half-marathon without having prepared for it beforehand? Most likely you will fall behind. Performance measures how quickly the equipment operates in comparison to its maximum possible speed. If your machines are taking too long to perform tasks rather than speeding up, you will lose valuable time.

Lastly, you will reach the child of gold: Quality. Think of quality as a snarky food critic at the barbecue. Quality doesn’t hesitate to bring up those burgers that are overcooked. OEE’s metric for quality keeps a hawk-eye on the number and type of defective components that come out of your equipment.

Let’s dig in with some numbers. Imagine that your machine can run up to 10 hours a single day. Over the course of a single week, the machine was slow for two hours, then stalled again for an additional 1.5 hours. The final result? 3% defective product. OEE is calculated by simple fractions or multiplication. A math exercise is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping.

But be careful, and watch your back. Complacency is not allowed, even when the numbers are excellent. Everyone wants their company to grow. How do you make your way towards six-sigma bliss? Continuous improvement should not be seen as a buzzword.

Imagine that you’re in the middle of cooking a delicious meal when you realize, too late, that there’s way too much salted. Do you just throw away the dish? No. You must adapt and refine. OEE data can provide a critical feedback loop. As you would adjust a recipe next time, the data will show you where to grease your wheels.

What value is there in all of this? Do not forget the bottom line. Your wallet will grow fatter if you can make your machines perform like Swiss watchmakers, producing high quality products at a rapid pace. OEE can change the game for profit.

You’re ready for a spicy tip? OEE has been proven to increase efficiency in many businesses. The same as finding a $20 note in your old denim. Isn’t that a pleasant surprise? But it doesn’t always have to be all or nothing. The smallest changes can yield big returns.

Don’t wait, get the data flowing. OEE should not be seen as just another metric. Instead, consider it the Sherlock Holmes of your manufacturing floor. It helps you uncover inefficiencies hidden right in front of your eyes. Make minor adjustments to see the magic.

Data is the oil of our technology-fueled age, and OEE will be your drilling machine. Accept it, utilize it and then turn these numbers into meaningful insights. Let’s toast towards a profitable future with high quality. Welcome to OEE and its wonderful journey of numbers, satisfaction, and joy!