The 7 most important KPIs for successful automation projects

1. cycle time: The key to increasing efficiency

The lead time measures how long a product takes to run through the entire production process. If you can shorten the throughput time, production becomes much more efficient. This is often a key objective in automation projects. Efficient feeding technology is very important here because it ensures that materials flow quickly and smoothly through production.

Our rotary and linear actuators can help to improve throughput times in automation projects. These precise and strong parts ensure that workpieces are fed and processed quickly and efficiently. This makes the whole process faster. Rotary actuators are good for round parts that need to be fed quickly and evenly. Linear drives are for more precise movements for more difficult tasks. These modern technologies can speed up production and make it more efficient. This leads to more productivity and makes the company more competitive.

2. overall equipment effectiveness (OEE): the comprehensive view of system performance

Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a figure that shows how well a system is working. It summarizes three important things: how often the system is available, how well it performs and how good the quality of the products is. This figure gives a good overview of how efficient automation projects are and where they can be improved. The OEE is calculated by looking at how long the system actually runs, how much it produces and how many of the products are fault-free.

Our Syzax HEAVY axis is an example of a strong part that can improve OEE. It is made for heavy-duty tasks in mechanical engineering and can ensure that systems run better and more often. The Syzax HEAVY axis can carry heavy loads and works very accurately, which is important for complex movements. It is built so robustly that it rarely breaks, which means that the system can run more often. At the same time, it is fast and precise so that processes can run more efficiently. Because it is so reliable, there is less downtime and product quality improves. This has a positive effect on all three parts of the OEE.

3. quality rate: ensuring the highest product standards

The quality rate shows how many products are manufactured without errors. A high quality rate is very important for the success of an automation project and for ensuring that customers are satisfied. It not only shows how well production is running, but also directly influences how much profit is made. Because if fewer products have to be reworked or thrown away, this saves money. Accurate dosing technology plays an important role here, especially in areas such as electronics, medical technology or the automotive industry, where everything has to be very precise.

Our accurate dosing and microdosing technology can help improve quality rates. These systems can dispense materials very accurately, resulting in fewer errors and better product quality. Our dosing systems are very precise and do exactly the same thing time after time, which is particularly important when working with adhesives, sealants or other liquids. They can deliver even the smallest quantities to exactly the right place. This not only improves quality, but also saves material. If you use this modern technology, you can not only make better products, but also have fewer rejects and less rework. As a result, customers are more satisfied, costs are reduced and the company is in a better competitive position.

4. downtime: Minimization of production interruptions

Downtime measures how long a system is out of production because it is broken or undergoing maintenance. It is very important to keep this time as short as possible so that production runs as much as possible and everything runs smoothly. Every minute the plant is down not only means less production, but can also lead to late deliveries and dissatisfied customers. That's why it's so important to prevent downtime by taking preventative measures and reacting quickly if something does go wrong.

Our comprehensive support service can help to reduce downtime. We offer fast and reliable help with all questions and problems relating to your machines. This includes technical support, maintenance, repairs and the supply of spare parts. Our experienced team of technicians is there for you around the clock to respond quickly to faults and find solutions. We use modern diagnostic tools and can detect and resolve many problems remotely before they lead to breakdowns. Through predictive maintenance and quick action in the event of a fault, we can help keep your systems running more often and avoid costly production downtime. We also offer training for your employees so that they can solve minor problems themselves.

5. energy efficiency: sustainability and cost savings

Energy efficiency shows how much energy is consumed in relation to production output. If you improve energy efficiency, you can save money and produce in a more environmentally friendly way. In times when energy is becoming more and more expensive and environmental protection more and more important, this KPI is becoming increasingly significant. It not only helps companies to reduce their operating costs, but also to become more environmentally friendly and thus strengthen their competitive position.

Our efficient bowl feeders are an example of parts that can help improve the energy efficiency of your automation project. They are built to work very well but consume little energy. Our bowl feeders use modern drive technologies and smart control systems that adapt energy consumption to the actual work. This means that they only consume energy when they are actually conveying parts and otherwise automatically go into energy-saving mode. We also use lightweight but stable materials and optimized designs that require less energy to move the parts. By using these modern technologies and clever designs, these bowl feeders help to consume less energy while producing more. This not only results in lower energy costs, but also makes your business more environmentally friendly.

6. return on investment (ROI): Measurement of financial success

The return on investment (ROI) shows how much profit is made in relation to the investment. A positive ROI means that the investment in the automation project has paid off. This figure helps companies to see whether their automation projects are making money and whether it is worth investing more in the future. A high ROI not only shows that the project is financially successful, but can also help to justify further investment in automation technologies.

Our collaborative robots (cobots) can help improve ROI. They make work more efficient and safer, which can lead to more productivity and lower operating costs. Cobots are versatile and easy to program, which means you can quickly deploy them for different tasks. This makes production more flexible and helps to respond quickly to market changes. Unlike large industrial robots, cobots do not require complex safety devices, which reduces installation costs and takes up less space. As they can work safely alongside humans, they can be integrated into existing production lines without having to rearrange everything. This leads to a faster return on investment. In addition, cobots can take over boring or physically demanding tasks, making work more pleasant for employees and reducing potential costs due to health problems.

7 Employee productivity: the human factor in automation

Even if a lot is automated, employee productivity remains important. It shows how efficiently and effectively people work in your automation project and how well people and machines work together. This KPI takes into account not only how much work is done, but also how good the work is and how much it contributes to the overall process. At a time when people's tasks in production are shifting from manual labor to monitoring and control, this KPI is becoming increasingly important.

Our compact Spring Disentangler is an example of a device that can help increase employee productivity. It automatically untangles compression springs, a task that can be very time-consuming and tedious to do by hand. By automating this work, employees are freed from a repetitive task and can spend their time and energy on more important and interesting tasks. The compact Spring Disentangler works very accurately and reliably, resulting in fewer errors and better quality. It can also work constantly for a long time, which increases overall productivity. The device is easy to operate and maintain, so employees can quickly learn how to handle it and use it effectively. This not only makes work more efficient, but also more satisfying as employees can focus on more complex and fulfilling tasks.

8 Conclusion: The key role of KPIs in automation

The seven KPIs presented form the foundation for successful automation projects. From throughput time to employee productivity, these KPIs enable precise control and continuous improvement of automated processes. In particular, the combination of technical parameters such as OEE and downtimes with economic aspects such as ROI and energy efficiency creates a holistic overview of the performance of the systems. By regularly monitoring and optimizing these KPIs, companies can sustainably strengthen their competitiveness and at the same time ensure the quality of their products. The success of modern automation therefore lies in the skillful balance between man, machine and measurable performance indicators.