The key to success in manufacturing

One of the most important things in manufacturing is ensuring that your machines and processes are working at their best capacity, to get the most out of your equipment.

One such method to ensure that you actually are running at peak efficiency is TPM which stands for total productive management. TPM is a technique developed in japan in-between 1950 and 1970. Over the year’s technique has seen many tweaks and adjustments however the core principals still stand. The main objective of TPM is as following, increase the overall equipment effectiveness of a plant. For TPM to work correctly the support of the total workforce is required.

OEE

OEE is measured by 3 factors: Performance x Availability x Quality = OEE

Each factor has two associated losses making 6 in total, these 6 losses are as follows:

• Performance: running at reduced speed and Minor Stops
• Availability: Breakdowns and Product changeover
• Quality: Startup rejects and Running rejects

The goal is to find where the losses are and then remove them from the equation. This is done by the teams that are in charge of those sub systems.

The eight pillars

Withing TPM there are eight pillars or principles that are used to improve the reliability of the equipment. They are as follows:

1. Autonomous Maintenance
2. Focused Improvement
3. Planned Maintenance
4. Quality management
5. Early/equipment management
6. Education and Training
7. Administrative & office TPM
8. Safety Health Environmental conditions

By adhering to these principles, you can increase your manufacturing plants productivity.