Data collection: Importance in manufacturing
With the widespread use of sensors and connected devices, the number of data and information collected in the manufacturing industry has skyrocketed. Therefore, with so much data now available, it's no surprise that big data analytics in manufacturing is a trendy issue. Manufacturing is still a major component of the global economy, although its role in industrialized and developing economies has evolved dramatically.
Because of how accessible data gathering methods are, some people tend to just gather data for the sake of it. That being said, those who do collect data should know how important it is to businesses, especially when used correctly. That is why you should know why data gathering is so important.
To understand the data it should be organised and visualised.
Keeping track of factory productivity and performance
One of the main reasons why businesses actively collect data is that it contains relevant statistics. Numbers that can be used to identify a variety of important aspects of a company, most notably its performance. Many of the patterns translated out of collected data can be truly eye-opening.
(Listen to the Bellus Furniture podcast to learn more about what happens in the production versus what the managers believe is happening.)
By collecting manufacturing data, you can analyse all variables in a production process and see where problems may originate.
Examples of the information needed to evaluate the factory performance: machine average speed, changeover time, machine downtimes and reasons, produced product amount, cycle time, scrap, etc. This data is most useful in determining the root cause of a problem or a bottleneck.
Improve productivity, reduce scrap, optimise capacity, and OEE. There are many paths to take to improve performance if you have the detailed information.
Secondly, to track the factory KPIs, collecting data is a must.
Data collection brings optimisation of business processes
Where to go next with the company's growth. Data gathered throughout the company will eventually add up, revealing positive and negative figures. You'll get an advanced insight. With the help of Analytics to base on the changes in your business processes, you’ll be able to optimize by improving where are your weak spots and concentrating on areas of strength.
Understanding root causes is critical for continuous improvement, especially in manufacturing. Use resources where they are needed the most. Not using the full potential of employees or the machines is a huge loss in many industries.
Preventative maintenance
It is easier and cost-efficient for a manufacturer to avoid breakdowns and downtimes through data collection. Also to set standards at which every machine must operate. With sensor data collection you are able to set specific metrics that the machine should be maintained (X amount of product going through, Y amount of machine working time, etc).
These are one of the main important aspect of collecting data in the factory. But keep in mind these are not the only ones.
In conclusion, to take inspiration from the most important business quote of all time, the three words left to say are Measure, Analyse, Improve. How do you know if you’re succeeding if you’re not measuring it?
