Application of the OEE tool as a proposed increase in productivity in grain drying systems

Abstract

Companies nowadays seek to gain advantages over their competitors by using tools that converge them to more efficient and effective processes. With this competitive scenario, the use of the Global Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) indicator has grown. In this sense, the present study aims to propose improvements in the productivity and management of the maintenance of grain drying operations, through the analysis and OEE calculations of the process. Developed in a grain processing and storage unit, the Availability, Performance and Quality indices were calculated using historical data recorded in Excel spreadsheets and analyzed in graphs. The evaluations carried indicated satisfactory performance regarding maintenance scheduling due to the high availability rates of the equipment. As for the results obtained for performance, it was possible to observe the variables influencing the productivity and to point out improvements to the process. The observations made in the scope of quality surrounded the effects that the high moisture contents of the grains cause to the drying process. In view of this, it was possible to conclude that the losses between the indexes that compose the OEE have a high correlation.