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6 Ways To Reduce Downtime In Manufacturing

May 8, 2022
6 ways to reduce downtime

Downtime (especially unplanned) is a serious threat to any manufacturer. However, there are at least 6 proven ways which can help to deal with this issue and drastically improve operational efficiency. 

This illustration shows the key areas within manufacturing that all need to be touched in order to reduce downtime. We’ll address them one by one below.

This illustration shows the key areas within manufacturing that all need to be touched in order to reduce downtime. We’ll address them one by one below.

1. Optimize production execution

We recommend using a Mobile solution to really optimize production execution. And by using a Mobile Work Order app, Production staff and work center operators can improve downtime reporting and reduce downtime-related activities. Let’s take a closer look at how.

Improve downtime reporting

A Mobile Work Order app improves downtime reporting by providing better analysis and improved decision-making enabling production staff on the shop floor to:

  • Check task priorities based on the latest production plan
  • View tasks details, including technical documentation, report operations (time/status) and used material
  • Report and track downtime in real-time
  • Measure spending on downtime activities (including idle time)

2. Limit downtime activities

The Mobile Work Orders app also helps work center operators save time and limit the scale of damages caused by inexperienced workers by allowing them to:

  • Request or order new tools or spare parts directly from the work center
  • Observe the progress of requested tools or parts in the app
  • Standardize maintenance tasks with guidelines for operations
  • Require users to complete a maintenance checklist

3. Production planning & maintenance

Real-time feeds from each department provide planners with an accurate view of the factory to help them react more quickly. In addition to being a dedicated work center for shop-floor operators, warehouse and quality control crews can also use a mobile app to:

  • Report activities
  • Pick materials and confirm delivery
  • Report deliveries from suppliers to display stock levels in real-time
  • Manage quality control to identify issues as soon as they arise 

4. Integrate planned maintenance into production plans

Manufacturers can minimize unnecessary downtime by planning scheduled maintenance in connection with production plans. By incorporating maintenance into production plans, planners can: 

  • Visualize all planned production and maintenance activities
  • Shift maintenance as-needed to cover production downtime
  • Limit disruptions caused by unexpected downtime

Manufacturing in the COVID-19 era

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5. Data collection, monitoring & communication

Dig deeper into areas 5 and 6 to take a closer look at data collection, monitoring and B2B communications. Capturing and consolidating data from different departments so that historical data and predictive analytics can be used to prevent issues before they arise. We want to highlight the importance of using B2B portals to provide instantaneous communication with suppliers and customers.

The key to manage is to measure

Production efficiency can be precisely measured to gather data from different departments, including the warehouse, shop floor, quality control, maintenance and more. This real-time insight helps managers to:

  • Measure the scale of downtime
  • Identify root causes through analysis
  • View all the information in one place
  • Receive objective feedback from real data (not people’s declarations)

Prevent issues with predictive analytics

Connect machines or equipment using IoT connectors to constantly measure key parameters such as power consumption, vibrations, temperature and noise. This information can be gathered automatically in real-time to:

  • Provide historical data for analysis
  • Use AI (artificial intelligence) to provide predictive analytics
  • Automatically escalate issues if disquieting trends arise
  • Protect from future machinery damages and unexpected downtimes

 

 

With a digital solution that detects errors in production, there is a much bigger chance to fix the problem before the impact grows into a critical problem.
Fredrik Rosendahl
Novacura, Sales Director

6. Instantly provide B2B communications

Improve production planning and overall production efficiency with direct, instant and precise communications to suppliers and customers. 

Suppliers

The B2B portal for suppliers can confirm purchase plans and deliveries online. Get immediate notifications of delivery changes or delays so that you can adjust production plans and set realistic expectations. 

Customers 

The B2B portal for customers helps predict and report customer demand in advance of purchases, preserving appropriate time for the entire supply chain.

6 - B2B Portals
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If you need help optimizing downtime prevention in production we can help out. We offer a low-code platform that is simpler to implement than an MES system. You can create tailor-made applications and connect them to your existing systems and can by that achieve a continuous improvement strategy. 

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Table of contents
1. Optimize production execution 2. Limit downtime activities 3. Production planning & maintenance 4. Integrate planned maintenance 5. Monitoring & comunicationM  6. Provide B2B communications

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