By Barsha Bhattacharya
Manufacturers have to measure product quality in real time. But why? It is a crucial practice for reducing waste, preventing unnecessary escalations, and avoiding clients’ backlash due to poor product quality.
That’s where the role of Quality Management in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) becomes pivotal.
Often, quality fluctuations can also result in financial penalties. Or costly recalls. Most importantly, it can drown your reputation in the market.
In the meantime, the manufacturers have to handle new and innovative demands from clients like ‘zero defect.’ They are also reducing the level of tolerance to the material quality.
Quality Management in MES
MES software has a lot of functions. However, quality management is the primary one. The quality management function gives MES an edge over a range of disparate systems. Manufacturers may use MES to perform quality checks in multiple scenarios:
Supplier Materials
You have to check the quality of supplier materials every time. You may perform quality checks on serialized inventory or in batches. Meanwhile, how does MES play its part?
A genuine MES tracks the quality of the materials as part of the protocol checks. At the same time, you can use MES to create a spontaneous traceability record. But what happens when you find issues in the process, later on?
You can check the MES-generated traceability record to find the batch number of the raw materials. If the same batch was flagged by any previous inspections, you can spot the same too.
In-Line Production
Quality Management in MES has several forms. MES quality control systems know the latest production order that is on the production line. In addition, it has all the other details about the batch. For example, the final products, ratios, etc.
When someone performs the quality inspections, the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) already possesses all the necessary details related to the context.
Hence, the operators don’t have to manually record or search for details each time. As a result, the production and delivery process speed up easily.
However, the accuracy of data plays a key role here, too. In manual data tracking and controlling, there is always a scope of calculation error.
However, there is no such chance when the integrated MES is working! That’s why MES is the best way for Defect reduction in manufacturing.
Other Production Benefits
The above are not the only production benefits of a good MES system. It can also point out which quality checks are needed and when. Therefore, you can do an in-depth compliance check at all stages of the production process.
In line, it becomes easier for the operator to adhere to the quality control plan. In the same line, there are a lot of quality check parameters that MES taps into. Firstly, you can think of downtime.
It can clinically check how much downtime has occurred and what effect it has on the project. As a result, the operator doesn’t need to do too many checks, based on the project’s running time.
Lab Checks
Sometimes it is necessary to conduct quality checks away from the production line. When you do the quality check in a lab, the process becomes different. But where is the quality lab?
It is a zone within the factory where you have specialized measurement instruments. You may also send it to any third party. But there is an issue. Non-conformance management is a goner here!
When you collect samples from the line, you have to keep track of them. Hence, you must label and track the sample scientifically. That’s where Quality Management in MES becomes crucial.
MES prints a product label by default. Hence it becomes easier for you to check the sample in a third-party lab.
Quality Control Plan
Quality Management in MES is a great part of quality control plans. The plans contain pathways and steps that ensure your products meet the necessary quality parameters. Again, MES has the best tools needed for smart quality control.
Secondly, you have to play a key role in performing inspections too. On that note, the MES systems offer real-time visibility. So, the operators have a live inspection report always in front of them.
How does MES reduce non-conformances?
Here are the tricks of MES that you mainly need. In the beginning, it helps in real time data management. I’m talking about data collection and tracking at the same time. The MES software has the capability to screen and present data from machines in real time. At the same time, it can track sensor data and operators’ data. As a result, you can immediately spot and rectify issues.
Process Management
MES software closely maps the monitoring and control part for the production process. Hence, you can always ensure that you are running the production outlet according to the specifications.
Targeted Non-conformances management
MES has a very systematic approach. Therefore, when a process goes off track, MES immediately discovers the root cause of the issue. After that, it suggests prompts or directly implementing corrective actions. Meanwhile, preventing similar issues from occurring in the future.
Better Quality Control
MES is responsible for overall process control. How?
Firstly, it reduces defects. Secondly it always keeps tracking real rime data. Then facilitates better process control as well. The bottom line is that it helps with better process control and production management.
Bottom Line
MES software helps with better all-round control. Its closed loop strategy leads to better nonconformance. The MES supports real time detection of root deficits and cause control. Moreover, it checks future issues.
But MES software is not a challenging one. It sets a baseline guiding protocol. Besides, it also defines the functionality and architecture of any production line, making the task easy for the plant operator or production manager.
