Downtime is expensive, irrespective of which industry you’re in, but if you find yourself in the automotive sector with many large pieces of machinery that runs 24/7, downtime is extremely destructive and causes great distress.
Numerous manufacturers in the automotive industry place their trust in Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). These systems help streamline manufacturing processes and assists in achieving a more sustainable, cleaner, smarter, and safer manufacturing environment. How? In fulfilling maintenance objectives but also giving insight into production processes and supply chain operations.
Let’s discuss how a CMMS helps automotive manufacturers.
Optimize Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance refers to routine maintenance, done consistently, to prevent equipment from failing. In other words, maintenance is done before the equipment has failed, and while it is still in operational condition. This may consist of simple tasks such as cleaning filters and merely inspecting equipment or more complex tasks such as intricate investigations to see what the condition of parts is beneath the surface.
Through timely correction of minor issues, big part failures or complete equipment failures can be avoided. Not only does this mean you’ll pay less to keep your manufacturing plant up and running and in operational condition, but also that you won’t have to face the loss of revenue and stress that accompanies a breakdown.
Keep in mind that sudden equipment failures can also mean that employees get hurt. Even though no one hopes this will be the case, certain machines could explode, cause fire, or burn workers. These circumstances could bring their own set of chaos.
Rather avoid the possibility of breakdowns and failures altogether by implementing a CMMS. This system will notify you when inspections should be done and could even ensure a work order is created, a technician is recruited, and the problem is fixed when integrated with a Building Automation System (BAS).
Simplify Work Order Tracking
Since automotive manufacturers are often involved in global supply chain operations, it poses a great challenge to make sure everything runs smoothly and each of their manufacturing plants is safe and productive.
Many locations mean work orders might increase each day and tracking them could get out of hand. This makes it difficult to manage maintenance activities, improve response times and decrease downtime.
A comprehensive CMMS allows automotive manufacturers to communicate with maintenance technicians, suppliers, operators, and inspectors. Work orders can thus be completed both onsite and offsite. Additionally, a CMMS could ensure work order requests are regularly updated, meaning, maintenance teams are always kept in the loop and manufacturing plants are provided with valuable maintenance documentation.
Work orders by location module in Proteus MMX
Prove compliance
Multiple regulatory bodies around the world require certain standards and day-to-day operation protocols to be adhered to by automotive manufacturers. The IATF 16949:2016 is an example of such a standard. This standard aims to prevent defects, reduce waste/variation, and improve the management system quality of the automotive industry’s supply chain.
By incorporating a CMMS, manufacturers have instant access to data that prove they adhere to these standards and comply with other safety, export, import, and environmental standards. When asked to provide this type of documentation, manufacturers can access their CMMS and instantly give a detailed report to these regulatory bodies.
Provide Key data-driven metrics
Automotive manufacturers work with a great number of parts. For example, one vehicle is estimated to exist of anything between 20 000 and 30 000 parts. With big volume, comes big responsibility and a big possibility of an error during production.
A CMMS, such as Proteus MMX, could set standards for how productive machines should be to improve productivity at different locations. It is also often used as a maintenance database which provides management with visibility of the whole company. This visibility ensures maintenance teams identify key performance trends that lead to informed decision-making about equipment and maintenance requirements.
Screenshot of Proteus MMX data display.
If you’re a 21st-century automotive manufacturer, you have a huge responsibility on your shoulders. Don’t forget that technology, such as Proteus CMMS, has been developed with you in mind – to make your manufacturing journey easier. If you are looking for a comprehensive maintenance database and asset management system, call +1 (262) 241-3845, send an email, or schedule a demo with Eagle today.
