Optimizing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a key goal for electronics manufacturers. At igus®, we support this mission with our advanced cable guide solutions for cleanrooms, particularly with our e-skin flat cable guidance systems.
Understanding OEE
Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a vital metric that reflects the
value added by a system, measured as a percentage from 0 to 100%. It provides a
clear view of productivity by factoring in three components: availability,
performance, and quality. To calculate OEE, planned downtimes such as
production breaks and maintenance are subtracted from the total calendar time
(24/7). The remaining time is the base for 100% operating time. From this base,
losses due to performance, availability, and quality are subtracted to
determine the final OEE.
The Role of Cleanroom Conditions in
Electronics Manufacturing
In the semiconductor industry, the structures are becoming smaller, and
the number of processing steps is increasing. For some applications,
maintaining ultra-clean conditions is critical, allowing only 1-10 particles
with diameters between 0.1 and 0.2 µm per cubic meter of air.
Tiny Particles Cause Quality Losses
Quality is a crucial
pillar of OEE. It is calculated by subtracting the number of reworked and
discarded parts from the total produced parts and dividing the result by the
total number of produced parts. In electronics manufacturing, tiny particles
can cause significant quality losses by contaminating sensitive products like
semiconductors. These particles often come from the abrasion of machine parts,
such as cables. Transitioning to modern cable guides like e-skin flat can significantly reduce these quality losses,
enhancing OEE with minimal financial and organizational investment.
Modular Solutions for ISO Class 1
Applications
Higher Quality with Virtually No
Abrasion
Our e-skin flat systems protect cables in cleanrooms from external
contamination using abrasion-optimized high-performance polymers. During
operation, the ambient air within a cubic meter contains no more than ten
particles larger than 0.1 micrometers, meeting the stringent requirements
of ISO Class 14644-1, as confirmed by the Fraunhofer
Institute for Production Technology and Automation (IPA). For context, air in a
typical environment near a smoker can contain up to 100 million particles
larger than 0.5 micrometres, which are completely absent in ISO Class 14644-1
cleanrooms.
Maximum Availability with Easy
Maintenance
The modular design of e-skin flat systems significantly enhances machine
availability, another OEE pillar, by reducing downtime. Traditional ribbon
cables, with their inseparably fused cores, require complete replacement if a
single core fails. In contrast, the e-skin flat's modular profiles can be opened,
and individual cables replaced quickly, minimizing downtime, and boosting OEE.
Modular Design for Space and Energy
Efficiency
The e-skin flat not only saves installation space but also reduces energy consumption. Our alternative to classic cables, CFCLEAN, incorporates stranding elements fused with a PTFE film for electrical protection. This design eliminates the need for an outer jacket, reducing weight by 21% and diameter by 18%, leading to lower drive energy requirements and space savings in cleanrooms, where space costs rise exponentially with volume.
For further details on how our e-skin flat systems can enhance your cleanroom operations and boost your OEE, visit our cleanroom industry page and configure your very own e-skin flat.
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