A method to align a manufacturing execution system with Lean objectives

Abstract

The application of IT and Lean principles have long been seen as mutually exclusive, but both approaches are more and more claimed to be interdependent and complimentary. Real-time production information is crucial to make important business decisions. A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) can provide the necessary support during the Lean journey. MES can trigger, feed or validate the Lean decision making process by providing useful information. In addition, MES can maintain the process improvements by enforcing the standardized way of working. However, this is only possible when MES is aligned and is kept aligned to the Lean objectives. The MES processes must be included in the continuous improvement cycle to prevent them of becoming obsolete. In this work a method is proposed to analyze this alignment between Lean and MES. The Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) framework provided by ISA 95 is believed to deliver the necessary components to identify and structure this alignment. Mapping MES and Lean activities onto the same framework brings valuable insights about their dependency. The analysis is explored through a case example. Preventing the system of becoming obsolete, by proposing standard model changes, is an important direction for further research.

Four archetypes of process improvement: a Q-methodological study

“…Hill et al (2002, 197) note that "a review of the reengineering and service process design literatures finds thousands of 'how-to' managerial articles and company testimonials, but surprisingly few articles published in academic journals". Whilst scholars have recently expended significant efforts to develop methodologies and roadmaps for conducting process improvement projects (Cottyn et al 2011;Dassisti 2010;Aurich et al 2009;Juan and Ou-Yang 2004), few empirical studies focus on the practices of process improvement used by organisations (Reijers and Liman Mansar 2005;Ayhan et al 2013). As a result, this organisational activity remains more art than science (Liman Mansar and Reijers 2007).…”

The Single Minute Exchange of Die Methodology in a High-Mix Processing Line

“…The main principles behind this solution are organizational workflow changes (Culley et al, 2003;Cakmakci, 2009), teamwork support, the application of visual management (Perinić, Ikonić, & Maričić, 2009), and minor technical modifications of machinery (Sharma, 2001). Cottyn et al (2011), Sheri and Bohn (2005), and Palanisamy and Siddiqui (2013) the authors claim that the synergy of application of industrial engineering methods and modern information technologies and systems may have a positive influence on production activities. Cottyn et al (2011) state that the application of lean manufacturing methods can be supported by the application of information systems, such as MES -Manufacturing Execution Systems -and also that MES can maintain the results achieved by the implementation of industrial engineering methods mainly by ensuring that selected processes are executed in a standardized way.…”

“…Cottyn et al (2011), Sheri and Bohn (2005), and Palanisamy and Siddiqui (2013) the authors claim that the synergy of application of industrial engineering methods and modern information technologies and systems may have a positive influence on production activities. Cottyn et al (2011) state that the application of lean manufacturing methods can be supported by the application of information systems, such as MES -Manufacturing Execution Systems -and also that MES can maintain the results achieved by the implementation of industrial engineering methods mainly by ensuring that selected processes are executed in a standardized way. Palanisamy and Siddiqui (2013) propose that integration of the SMED method and MES solves problems with scheduling set-up activities on multiple machines; they also mention that the implementation of MES allows effective redistribution of individual changeover activities between available workers.…”

Towards Mixed Reality in SCADA Applications

“…A standardized schematic overview helps to break down the complete software project into functional modules and to describe the information flows between them (Cottyn et al (2011)). To emphasize the industrial context, the modules have been structured according to the functional hierarchy model as described in the ISA 95 standard (ISA (2000)).…”