MES Software–What It Is and How It Maximizes Production

Sometimes making a change to production processes results in a much larger overall change to the efficiency of the system.  Choosing to install a Rotating Head Cut off Machine to replace a traditional lathe on a factory floor is a big decision, but it also comes with big benefits.  When it comes to tube cutting and chamfering, there is no quicker way to rapidly increase output while decreasing production time and cost than to convert to an automated manufacturing execution system.

What Is An MES?

Generally speaking, an MES is a special class of software that monitors real-time physical aspects of production, particularly those that deal with turning raw material into a finished piece.  MES can be created to handle any number of monitoring jobs, so there are product-specific MES softwares that control all types of manufacturing.  MES has also been extended into non-production fields such as shipping.

Simply speaking, an MES is any software program that monitors the creation of a product and measures every step to ensure that those involved have complete information.  In reality, though, most manufacturing execution systems are much more complex than that.  Integrating an MES into an automated cutting system maximizes efficiency instantly by putting managers and company owners in a position of being able to understand how certain aspects of their cutting process may be slowing down the entire production run.

How Does An MES Maximize Production?

Most MES programs utilize a streamlined, integrated system to handle production jobs from start to finish.  With metal tube finishing, the process often looks like this:

●       Intake gatekeeping.  Rather than have workers sort through dozens of piles of stock material, an MES can order production runs in the most efficient way possible.  The stock supply is entered at the beginning of the process, along with the jobs to be done, and the MES will then calculate the most efficient way to run the product.

●       Process monitoring.  During the production process, the MES software integrates seamlessly with the cutting machine.  No matter how intricate the cuts or how complicated the order, the MES can quickly sort and prioritize the jobs and ensure that the right stock is cut to the right length, then finished according to the plan.

●       Outtake efficiency.  Not only can the MES handle the intake and the processing of metal stock, but it can also prioritize packaging of orders.  Each run is bundled and ready for shipping without hours of frustration spent trying to match cut metal tubes to their destinations.

At each step of this process, the MES sends instant feedback to workers and managers alike.  If there is a slowdown in production, the MES notes this and identifies the location so that steps can be taken to resolve the issue.  With an MES, everyone stays on top of the entire process, and the automation of the loading, cutting and unloading makes quick work of even the most difficult jobs.

If you want to learn more about how a rotating-head cutting system with an integrated MES can work for your company, contact Hautau.  Our professionals can help you choose the right system to streamline production and increase work output on your factory floor, no matter what type of metal tubes, cuts or finishes you handle!