The benefits of a manufacturing execution system for plantwide automation

Abstract

Process industries that have achieved a good foundation for process control but were disillusioned by grandiose computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) systems are seeking manufacturing execution system (MES) solutions as the next logical step in their plant-wide automation schemes. MES provide a level of control in between process control and manufacturing resource planning (MRP II). MES increase manufacturing competitiveness by controlling plant resources including material, equipment, personnel, process instructions, and facilities. An integrated MES typically consists of a relational database management system (RDBMS), computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) tools for application development, a document management system, and CIM interfaces. An MES provides a production management system with the capabilities for scheduling, supervisory monitoring and control, and quality management. The benefits of MES systems are numerous including a focus on continuous quality and cost improvements, aiding in compliance with OSHA, FDA, ISO 9000, and EPA regulations, batch record handling reducing wastes, product tracking, and empowering the operators. MES applications using ISA SP88 and NAMUR concepts provide integrated solutions for batch oriented processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. MES solutions also have applicability in pulp and paper mill-wide automation schemes, refineries, and other process industries.