What is an MES System? How important will it be in the future,
and why should medium factories to large factories focus it?
At present, it is evident that the level of competition in the manufacturing industry is higher than in the past due to the increasing implementation of modern technology and innovation in the production process. Consequently, manufacturers must seek ways to enhance the efficiency of their production processes to respond swiftly and flexibly to market demands while also ensuring customer satisfaction. Therefore, the "MES System" (Manufacturing Execution System) is essential for driving production efficiency and should be seriously implemented by both medium and large factories.
Understanding MES System
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is a software system used in factories to monitor, record changes, and manage the production process. It functions like the central nervous system of a factory, overseeing everything from various sources including machines, sensors, raw materials, equipment, employees, and production schedules. The MES provides accurate and real-time updates on production status, facilitating traceability. Additionally, the MES can connect with ERP systems to enable a real-time overview of the entire organization's operations.
Why Medium to Large Factories Should Prioritize the MES System
Medium to large factories face numerous challenges in managing their production processes efficiently, including:
⦁ Complex and Intricate Production Processes: Handling multifaceted manufacturing operations.
⦁ Outdated Software and Hardware Systems: Existing systems may not meet current business demands.
⦁ Lack of Production History Data: Insufficient data collection impedes product quality analysis and improvement.
⦁ Quality Issues: High defect rates (NG), ineffective quality control, leading to increased production costs.
The MES System can assist in managing complex data and production processes, driving your business towards successful outcomes:
⦁ Planning, Monitoring, and Controlling Production: Ensuring systematic and efficient processes.
⦁ Real-Time Production Oversight: Detecting and promptly resolving issues, preventing unexpected errors.
⦁ Guidance and Alerts for Production Tasks: Configurable to provide instructions and reminders to workers about production duties, routes, and stations.
⦁ Comprehensive Data Collection: Gathering complete production history, providing effective data for decision-making, thereby facilitating easier and well-supported management decisions.
Key Functions of an MES System?
The functionality of an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) varies depending on the module, with the main functions including:
⦁ Production Planning and Scheduling: MES helps users plan and schedule production processes that meet quality standards by considering factors such as customer orders, production capacity, raw materials, and available resources.
⦁ Resource Allocation: The system assists in allocating available resources by planning production and specifying the quantity of raw materials needed for each production run. It calculates if the remaining raw materials are sufficient for future production, allowing users to know instantly the current stock levels and if additional raw materials need to be ordered. MES ensures that no production tasks are interrupted due to a shortage of raw materials or resources.
⦁ Prioritization of Tasks: The system can be configured to prioritize tasks based on urgency, importance, and complexity to ensure they are completed on schedule.
⦁ Real-Time Progress Tracking: Users can monitor the progress of tasks and machinery in real-time on a dashboard.
⦁ Integration with ERP and Other Devices: MES can easily connect with ERP systems and devices such as PLCs and IoT devices, providing users with a comprehensive view of the production process.
⦁ Centralized Production Data: MES acts as a central hub for production data, collecting detailed information from various sources such as engineering data from machines and production history. It stores and analyzes this data for future use.
⦁ Alert System: The system sends alerts via various channels such as email and messages to notify employees about production issues.
⦁ Dashboard Reporting and Summarization: The dashboard provides an overview of the entire production process, including data on WIP status, utilization, material status, equipment maintenance, and safety. It can be customized to fit the specific needs of each factory.
MES System in the Future: Manufacturing Trends for 2030
Integrating the MES System with advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, and No Human Worker will elevate factories to fully realized Smart Industries. Advanced technologies like AI can analyze vast amounts of operational data from past operations, enhancing the MES System's responsiveness and allowing it to solve problems accurately based on a comprehensive database, thereby reducing potential production process disruptions.
Automation drives the concept of no human worker, replacing manual labor with robots, automated equipment, and intelligent control systems. This reduces errors and improves product quality. These cutting-edge technologies enable factories across all industries to compete effectively in the digital era, meeting user demands with the ability to produce customized products at lower costs while maintaining high production quality.
Which Industries Require an MES System
The MES System solutions can be applied and customized to meet the specific needs of various industries. However, the implementation methods and specific features of each module may vary. Let's explore the industries that require an MES System:
⦁ Manufacturing
⦁ Assembly
⦁ Automotive
⦁ Electronics
⦁ Metal
⦁ Plastic
⦁ Chemical
⦁ Food and Beverage
⦁ Additionally, other industries can also benefit from using an MES System
⦁ Operational Data Management: Accurate data enhances production efficiency, provides immediate insights into production capacity, reduces time spent searching for information, enables quick decision-making, manages quality, maintains production standards, and resolves issues promptly.
⦁ Employee Hours and KPI Management: Processes working hours and measures other performance metrics to ensure operations align with KPIs.
⦁ Monitoring and Tracking: Records all production data, verifies step-by-step information, and provides complete production history for traceability. If any batch of products encounters issues or a customer claim arises, the system can immediately check the relevant information.
⦁ Equipment Usage Data Collection: Integrates with ERP, SCADA, and other IoT devices to gather data on equipment usage within the factory.
⦁ Transparency of Information: The ciMES system serves as a central data hub, ensuring accurate and clear reporting.
Conclusion of MES System
In today's digital age of fierce competition, medium to large-scale factory businesses face challenges in enhancing production efficiency. MES System, a solution designed to address complex and intricate manufacturing processes, enables real-time process monitoring, maintenance of machinery to reduce wear and tear, detailed production logging for analysis and improvement, cost reduction in production, quality control, and enhanced competitiveness within the industry.
The ciMES MES system acts as an intelligent assistant that meets these demands, leading your operations into Industry 4.0 and unlocking potential for success.
Contact us
For a demo, please contact us at Contact Us or for further inquiries:
Phone: 0633253640 or 02-6863000 ext. 3042
Email: support@aresth.co.th
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