We consolidated key words, phrases and acronyms into one central location. This glossary will help you cut through the complexity to fully understand the ins and outs of the industry.
Batch production refers to a method in manufacturing in which products are created as specified groups, or amounts, that each go through a series of steps to make the desired product. This type of production is created within...
Cloud manufacturing refers to running a manufacturing facility’s software systems and platforms on the cloud. The cloud refers to servers that are housed in a provider’s data center, and allows other businesses and organizations to run and store their...
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) refers to an integrated approach of manufacturing that combines different technologies and computer-controlled operations for a fully integrated manufacturing process. In today’s industrial facilities, there are many different technology systems running different parts of the manufacturing...
Condition based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance strategy that tracks the conditions of commodities in order to assess what type of maintenance is needed. CBM maintenance strategy is only executed when unique indicators in the factory reveal potential failure....
Continuous manufacturing, otherwise known as process manufacturing, is a flow production method in which factories are continuously producing goods and materials 24/7. In this type of production method, each part of the product flows from one machine to...
Corrective Maintenance is a type of maintenance that is performed to correct problems and restore equipment and machines to a working condition. Unlike Predictive Maintenance, which helps predict future failures, Corrective Maintenance tasks can be either planned or unplanned....
Cyber Physical system (CPS) is a new generation of digital system, composed of computational and physical capability that engage with humans like never before. It’s designed to act like a network of multiple variables with both physical input and...
Industry 4.0 refers to the merging of digitalization with traditional industrial processes. With Industry 4.0, production can be elevated by completely digitizing a factory. And so, the result of Industry 4.0 is ultimately a smart factory...
Digital manufacturing allows companies to leverage advanced software and digital technologies to improve their operations. With the digital transformation in manufacturing, companies are able to manage their entire production process through a network that is fully connected and integrated,...
Discrete Manufacturing is the manufacturing practice of operating with a bill of materials (BOM) to create various parts of a product that are then merged together to form the finished product. Discrete Manufacturing is responsible for creating products like...
A flexible manufacturing system is able to adjust and make any changes in the production process, as necessary. In general, flexible manufacturing technologies allow a system to make changes in two areas, related to product type and quantity...
High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing, also referred to as make-to-order manufacturing, is the process of producing a high variety of products in small quantities. This production method is commonly used to manufacture unique and more complex products with specific quality requirements...
IIoT (The Industrial Internet of Things) refers to any type of machine, equipment, or device that can gather and share vast amounts of data by connecting to a network. The connectivity from industrial machines allows for continuous data collection...
Referred to as the fourth revolution in manufacturing, Industry 4.0 represents the transition to automation using smart technology, such as machine learning, big data, AI, etc. Industry 4.0 solutions focus on creating an optimized environment for the manufacturing industry....
Intelligent manufacturing systems are able to achieve optimized utilization of manufacturing resources to increase a company’s business value. An intelligent production system integrates employees, machines, and processes at a manufacturing facility to achieve the best possible production results, while...
Job shop lean manufacturing is a method resulting in a wide variety of products. These products are made in small lot sizes with the ability to achieve maximum flexibility in mind. The products’ operating times and sequences can vary...
Lean Manufacturing is a collection of processes and tools that work together to minimize waste and increase production in the manufacturing industry. The core of this system is to reduce all forms of waste without affecting productivity of the...
Machine Availability, in the context of the manufacturing industry, is one of three major factors in calculating OEE. It takes into consideration all of the events that could have interrupted planned production time, whenever it has been stopped for...
Machine Monitoring in manufacturing is the method of applying advanced technology in the factory in order to collect and analyze data from machines. The process of machine monitoring consists of collecting data from machines, transferring data to the cloud...
Manufacturing analytics is a complex method of analyzing KPIs in order to optimize the manufacturing process and meet business standards. As the industry continues to evolve and adapt new technology, it turns to new methods to increase product efficiency...
Manufacturing cycle time is a key performance indicator for manufacturing businesses. It refers to the amount of time spent working on an item from the raw material stage to the finished product stage. The cycle time calculation includes...
Manufacturing information systems are integral to the modern manufacturing facility. They are computer software platforms used to track to and document the transformation of raw materials to finished goods. With the implementation of a manufacturing and production information system...
Manufacturing management software is a crucial tool to help manufacturers manage and improve their business operations. It can increase organizational efficiency by helping companies improve how their resources are used – a crucial consideration in today’s highly competitive market....
Manufacturing optimization refers to the process of manufacturers seeking methods to enhance their production process. The optimization of a product or system can happen on different levels. Ranging from improving equipment to reducing waste....
Material management is a key component of many business operations, especially those in the manufacturing sectors. At its most essential level, materials management involves overseeing and managing everything that is related to the materials used in a business or...
Material requirements planning (MRP) is one of the most common real-time material management systems used in manufacturing to calculate all materials and components required to produce goods in the most efficient manner. This system is considered a push-type of...
Manufacturing Execution System is a shop floor execution software that monitors and analyzes machines to ensure quality and efficiency are implemented in the manufacturing process. The main purpose of an MES is to solidify digital manufacturing and improve production...
Make to Order (MTO) is a manufacturing strategy in which products are only made after a confirmed order is received, also known as mass customization. It’s used for customized orders and is also referred to as the pull-type supply...
Make to Stock (MTS) is a manufacturing strategy in which products are manufactured based on consumer demand forecast. MTS manufacturing relies on the accuracy of demand forecasts to decrease overuse of raw materials and inventory regarded as a push-type...
OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) is a metric often used in the manufacturing industry to measure the percentage of planned production , in order to reduce cost and optimize processes. There are three components that OEE takes into account: Availability,...
Overall Line Efficiency is a metric found in manufacturing that rides off of OEE measurement (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) - a formula used to measure the percentage of planned production, in order to reduce cost and optimize processes....
Predictive Maintenance is a proactive maintenance technique that uses performance tracking tools to predict possible defects and fix them before they occur. This method is aimed at reducing repair costs and decreasing downtime that result from faulty equipment....
Predictive quality analytics refers to the process of analyzing incoming data in order to recognize and solve problems in advance. This emerging category of AI enables manufacturers to decrease losses in both quality and waste by identifying root cause......
Preventive Maintenance is a proactive type of maintenance that is performed daily to reduce the odds of downtime and machine failure. Preventive Maintenance includes lubrication, simple repairs, cleaning and replacing defective parts. It’s conducted while the equipment remains running...
Production efficiency is a term used to describe the level in which a company, or factory, can’t manufacture any more products without affecting and lowering the production level of other goods. Thus, the term maximum production efficiency only occurs...
Production line monitoring is a method used by manufacturers to gain a comprehensive view of what’s happening in a factory, in real time. In the past, many companies dedicated specific employees to monitor their production lines to ensure products...
A programmable logic controller (PLC) refers to an industrial digital computer that controls the manufacturing process. PLCs are adapted to operate in harsh industrial settings, so they can withstand severe conditions often found in industrial facilities, such as...
A Quality Management System (QMS) is a formal process that helps manufacturers produce and deliver goods that continuously achieve customer requirements efficiently. QMS often takes into consideration businesses’ values and goals and translates them into production guidelines...
One of the advantages of a smart manufacturing is the ability to collect and track data and information as it’s happening, in real time. Real-time production monitoring is a crucial component in many industrial facilities today, as it allows...
Real-time planning is the ability to deal with unforeseen circumstances or changes in real-time, with the capacity to make adjustments or pivots that are necessary, without completely disrupting the production process. To implement real-time planning, there are certain things...
Repetitive manufacturing is the factory process function in which products are produced for rapid production flow. A distinguishing property of repetitive manufacturing is its primary utilization of assembly and/or production lines, specializing in repetitive production...
Root Cause Analysis is an umbrella term that covers a wide array of methods used to find causes of problems in manufacturing. These approaches try to uncover the root cause of an issue, the primary reason that there is...
Real-time operational intelligence (RtOI) is an up and coming industrial discipline that empowers businesses to intelligently transform mass amounts of data into real-time actionable insights that is accessible at all times....
Run to Target (RTT) manufacturing is a concept found in manufacturing that is typically used alongside productive maintenance, in which it focuses on eliminating product and process variability while continuing to increase machine efficiency....
Shop Floor Control is a system that can collect, track, and analyze relevant data on a regular basis. This method can be completed in a single factory for small businesses, or in several facilities owned by large businesses at...
The term shop floor refers to the area in a manufacturing facility where production is executed. This area includes all equipment, machines, and inventory. Since the shop floor includes numerous aspects, it’s crucial to maintain order of all elements....
Smart Manufacturing (SM) is the process of combining various technologies and solutions and implementing them in the manufacturing ecosystem to create a fully-integrated and automated environment that responds in real-time to actions and demands....
SPC in manufacturing refers to the methodology of monitoring and measuring quality processes during the production process. As different processes deal with multiple variations, statistical process control (SPC) is a manufacturing analytics software tool used to pinpoint which areas...
TEEP is a performance metric that is used to measure the real capacity of manufacturing operations - indicating how big of a scope is waiting to be unlocked. This metric provides manufacturers insight into how much potential their factory...
Total productive maintenance is a lean manufacturing strategy that deploys machines, equipment and employee’s effectiveness to maintain and optimize the quality of manufacturing systems. TPM tackles the issue of maintenance in order to identify and eliminate the origin of...
Product traceability in manufacturing is a critical need for today’s manufacturers. While historically, it may have been implemented only in facilities where products could be recalled, today it’s a critical function for manufacturers across sectors. Manufacturing traceability solutions provide...
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