Informance offers a solution designed specifically to support manufacturing continuous improvement methods and metrics such as Lean, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Six Sigma and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance).

Informance's guiding principle is to offer quick-to-deploy and easy-to use solutions that drive manufacturing productivity. Our cost effective data collection options and powerful data analysis applications enable manufacturers to quickly identify performance gaps, take action and reach higher levels of manufacturing excellence.

Whether you are a:
> Vice President of Manufacturing searching for additional capacity across the manufacturing enterprise,
> CIO looking to feed real-time manufacturing performance data into the organization's ERP system,
> Plant Manager focused on better utilizing plant assets and personnel,
> Continuous Improvement Manager searching for the root cause of unplanned downtime,
> Lean Manufacturing Consultant working to improve set up and change over times,
> Maintenance Manager tracking OEE and MTBF for a TPM program,
> Six Sigma Green Belt focused on the performance of a single asset,
> Operator who requires real-time performance data to achieve productivity targets.

...the Informance system will deliver the actionable information when, where and how you need to be successful.

Data Collection
Utilizing a plant’s existing control infrastructure, regardless of its age or level of implemented technology (i.e. PLC, HMI, Relay, or lack there of), Informance’s data collection technology allows a manufacturer to collect performance data from every critical asset quickly, inexpensively and unobtrusively. Utilizing a Sensor Method, PLC Method or a combination of both, the data collection technology monitors machine or manual process cycles, capturing production volume, production rate and data on both uptime and downtime that is the basis for monitoring and identifying performance opportunities.

Sensor Method - Utilizing a sensor (e.g. photo eye, proximity) and the Informance Industrial Data Collector (IDC) cycle and downtime data is collected. The IDC can also be used in conjunction with the Visual Data Console (VDC) running on a PC providing a graphical user interface for the operator. Downtime reasons are easily captured using the key pad on the IDC or the VDC on the PC.

PLC Methods – Line performance data can be automatically collected via direct communication with an existing PLC or PLC control network. The Informance Industrial Data Collector (IDC) can be wired directly to the I/O of the PLC or by communicating via OLE Process Control (OPC) leveraging the existing control network.

Data Analysis
The Informance application is designed to quickly provide the information needed to identify performance opportunities, determine root cause and take action. The application supports continuous improvement methods and metrics such as Lean, OEE, Six Sigma, TQM and TPM. The analysis capabilities are extremely powerful yet intuitive. Out of the box there are over 200 prepackaged graphical and tabular performance metrics and reports requiring no configuration on the part of the user. Packaged metrics such as OEE, TAKT time and MTBF are all standard plus multiple variations of downtime and cycle time analysis. Web browser access and a simple point and click provides drill down capabilities into the data exposing the detailed information required to take action.

Cycle Time Analysis
Cycle time analysis gives you the data you need to quickly diagnose problems and improve productivity. Quickly compare output by day, hour, shift, line, asset or plant. Immediately, you'll be able to understand the amount of variation in machine cycle time and develop a strategy to improve.

Analyze cycle times to identify:
> Peak productivity periods
> Cycletime variances
> Actual vs. ideal part-to-part cycle time

Capacity & OEE Analysis
There is no easier method for monitoring overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and machine capacity than using Informance.  Every minute can be cataloged as either machine cycle time or machine downtime. Most important, it gives you the amount of Cycle Erosion™, or the amount of lost output because of minor stops, reduced speed, employee fatigue and hesitations. 

Analysis of OEE and capacity:
> Major and Minor downtime
> Shift change losses
> Cycle Erosion™

Downtime Analysis
By understanding whether the distribution of downtime intervals is an accumulation of minor or major events, you can isolate the primary source of downtime and develop a plan for improvement. Tagging downtime reason intervals with reason and sub reason codes or tying them to time related reasons gives you the ability to identify the culprits of production losses.

Analyze downtime trends such as:
> Peak downtime periods and shift comparisons
> Preventive maintenance intervals
> Change over and setup times and variances

Process Analysis
Identifying the root cause and bottle necks is an important aspect to improving any process. Utilizing the process timeline, users can view production runs by SKU, shift, operator and downtime reason to diagnose and pinpoint the sequence or root cause of a problem.

Analysis of the process timeline:
> Monitor processes in real-time
> Identify bottle necks and determine root cause
> Illustrate the sequence of events

Getting data does not need to be high-risk, high-waste or a high-expense IT project. World-class manufacturers have found the Informance solution as an irreplaceable tool in targeting opportunities, measuring improvements and sustaining gains at the asset, plant or enterprise level.

Software Features
> File import/export capability
> Cycle Time Analysis
> Performance metrics including Cycle Erosion™ and the Rhythm Index™
> Downtime Analysis
> Capacity & Utilization Analysis
> MTBF Analysis
> Drill down capability to view data day by day, hour or shift

Application Capabilities
> Cycle Times as fast as 4,000 parts per minute
> Interfaces with older equipment, PLC or Non PLC controlled equipment
> Works in/with manual workstations

Typical Processes Include
> Electronic assembly
> Stamping
> Heat sealing
> Injection molding
> Packaging/filling operations
> Manual and automated test
> Machining
> Assembly

Typical Applications
> Productivity improvements
> Capacity planning
> Optimizing new equipment
> Cycle time reduction
> Capital equipment justification
> Improved maintenance scheduling