MES

In terms of Industrie 4.0, especially SMEs are facing the challenge of integrating data both vertically and horizontally. To achieve this task, common solutions such as ERP are increasingly replaced by manufacturing executions systems (MES). Due to the direct connection in production, MES allow a production control and serve as bridge between planning and manufacturing level. Data integration is furthermore the basis for an automated risk management in production. The research project quadrika develops an MES module that predictively recognizes risks and thus prevents faults.

Information technology is one of the key enabling technologies of future manufacturing. In the two basic business processes manufacturing is located at the intersection point. However, for manufacturing and its value adding purpose, information technology has to be considered as a tool. In this paper the author describes an approach to the components of a new information model inside the future factory.

For the efficient controlling of the equipments in the semiconductor manufacturing more and more ERP systems are used. Therefore, the state of the art including possible future developments is discussed first. As a conclusion the use of the SAP NetWeaver platform is suggested for the control of semiconductor manufacturing automat. Its evaluation as well as the production of a prototype are described.

While the number of custom specific products is increasing the order size often diminishes. This problem leads to difficulties in managing demand changes, promising accurate dates and ensuring optimal equipment utilisation. A real-time information gap exists in the heart of most manufacturing enterprises, since there is a lack of visibility & predictability. Based on modern MES with maximum equipment integration, the use of automatic process control and optimization enables SME to be more competitive, efficient and customer-friendly.

New Design Criteria Ensure Success The paper analyses the parameters of PPC configuration compliant to the ancillary conditions of companies. Therefore the aspect logistic production strategy (standardisation, segmentation, individualisation) as well as kind of interconnection between planning and control (characteristic mean value, mean value and tolerance, single values) as well as task assignment are set to the fore. These general considerations determine the requirements to implemented ERP and MES solutions.

Requirements of manufacturing execution systems (MES) used for complex production processes are discussed in this paper. MES connect enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) with the machine control sys-tems on the shop-floor. After a definition of the term MES we describe MES functionality following the MESA specification. Then we develop a requirement specification for MES applied to complex manufacturing processes.

The “Digital Factory” uses the most modern information technology in all phases of the plant life-cycle. The high target is to increase the productivity by reducing the planning and the changeover time, by increasing the flexibility and the capacity, etc. Thereby important tools are MES solutions.

The market for manufacturing companies has changed dramatically over the last few years. Fast communication, high downward pressure on prices, global markets, increasingly tight demands and fluctuations in delivery quantities and due dates all call for a planning system that covers the entire supply chain. New concepts such as Supply Chain Management (SCM) are attempting to keep in line with the structural changes in the market and with the need to adapt the planning process on an on-going basis. Independently of the extent to which these concepts can be implemented today, there is growing pressure on manufacturing companies to deal with the requirements of the market and to rethink their internal planning and organisation. Amazingly, the core industrial area for creating value, i.e. manufacturing, is frequently being neglected from an IT point of view or is at best being implemented as an isolated solution. An integrated MES can help to give companies a fitness boost in the core area ...