What does OEE stand for, and what does it measure?

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a critical metric in manufacturing that evaluates how effectively a manufacturing operation is utilized compared to its full potential. OEE combines three key components: availability, performance, and quality.

• Availability refers to the actual operating time versus the planned operating time, accounting for any downtime or maintenance.

• Performance measures the speed at which the manufacturing operation runs compared to its designed optimal speed, indicating how well the equipment is being utilized during its operational time.

• Quality assesses the ratio of good units produced versus the total units produced, indicating how many products meet the quality standards.

By evaluating these three components, OEE provides insights into the efficiency of manufacturing processes, highlighting areas for improvement in productivity and effectiveness. This makes it a vital tool for identifying performance loss and driving continuous improvement in manufacturing.