Insights on measuring, analysing and improving.
Stay up to date with the latest trends and developments. From practice, from our clients and from our own team.
Success story
“Thanks to VDS, CCI now steers on the basis of real data.”
The complete customer story of CCI, told by operations manager Marten Groen and business controller Alwin Seinen. From paper fault forms to daily steering on real-time figures.
Read the testimonial →All articles
Success story
“For us, VDS is a strategic partner at the interface of business and data.”
The complete customer story of Kooi, told by CBO Marco Banning, business controller Marcel Teunissen and adviser Erik Kort.
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Knowledge base
Calculating OEE: formula, explanation and a worked example
You calculate OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) by multiplying three factors: availability × performance × quality.
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Knowledge base
Calculating cycle time: formula and example
You calculate cycle time by dividing the net available production time by the number of units produced: cycle time = available production time ÷ number produced.
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Knowledge base
Calculating takt time: formula and example
You calculate takt time by dividing the available production time by customer demand in the same period: takt time = available time ÷ customer demand.
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Knowledge base
Bottleneck analysis: finding the constraint step
A bottleneck analysis determines which process step limits the output of the whole line: the step with the lowest effective capacity or the longest cycle time.
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Knowledge base
Recording downtime: how to make lost time visible
You record downtime by logging every stop with its duration, time and cause, split into planned and unplanned downtime.
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Knowledge base
Taking a baseline measurement and proving the impact
A baseline measurement is the recorded starting situation before an improvement; you prove the effect by measuring again after the intervention under equal conditions and the difference…
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Knowledge base
Applying PDCA with production data
PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) with production data means you back every phase with measured figures instead of assumptions: plan on a baseline measurement, do, check against that same…
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Knowledge base
DMAIC: which data belongs to each phase
DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) attaches a concrete data question to each phase: define the problem in figures, measure the baseline, analyse causes with data,…
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Knowledge base
Backing a gemba walk with data
You back a gemba walk with data by looking at the current figures per line before the floor round and testing during the round what explains those figures.
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Knowledge base
Calculating sigma level from DPMO
You calculate the sigma level from the number of defects per million opportunities (DPMO): DPMO = (defects ÷ (units × opportunities)) × 1,000,000, which you convert into a sigma level using a sigma table.
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Knowledge base
A3 and kaizen: improving in a structured way
An A3 is a structured problem-solving document on a single A3 sheet, background, current situation, goal, analysis, measures, plan and follow-up; kaizen is the continuous stream of small…
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Knowledge base
Setting up an improvement programme with data
An improvement programme with data goes through five steps: measure the baseline, use the figures to pick the largest source of loss, carry out one targeted intervention, prove the effect against the…
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Knowledge base
Batch traceability: tracking batches fully backwards and forwards
Batch traceability is being able to track a batch fully backwards and forwards through the whole process: from which raw material batches went into it to which finished products…
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Knowledge base
Audit-ready for BRCGS, IFS and FSSC 22000
Being audit-ready for BRCGS, IFS or FSSC 22000 means you can demonstrate at any moment that your process is under control: that your critical control points (CCPs), process parameters and deviations…
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Knowledge base
CAPA and root cause analysis
CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) is the structured removal of the cause of a deviation and the prevention of its return; root cause analysis is the step that finds the actual…
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Knowledge base
Calculating First Pass Yield (FPY)
You calculate First Pass Yield (FPY) by dividing the number of units produced right first time by the total number of units started: FPY = right-first-time ÷ started.
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Knowledge base
Process limits and drift: spotting deviation before scrap
Process limits are the upper and lower bound within which a process parameter may vary; drift is that parameter gradually running towards a limit, something that with continuous…
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Knowledge base
Dutch energy-saving obligation: does it apply to you and what do you have to do?
Compulsory in the Netherlands from 50,000 kWh or 25,000 m³ of gas per site: take every measure that pays for itself within the payback period.
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Knowledge base
EED audit obligation and ISO 50001: what applies from when?
In the Netherlands an energy audit obligation applies from 10 TJ per year, and above 85 TJ a certified energy management system. The criterion is consumption, not company size.
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Knowledge base
Submetering: from total consumption to explanatory insight
Submetering is the measurement of energy consumption at sub-level, per installation, line, machine or department, below the main meter, so that you see where consumption and peaks arise in…
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Knowledge base
Peak load and grid congestion: why your peaks determine your growth
Grid congestion is the shortage of transport capacity on the electricity grid that stops you getting a heavier connection; peak load is the highest power you draw at brief moments.
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Knowledge base
Setting up energy monitoring in four steps
You set up energy monitoring in four steps: take stock of your energy flows and information needs, unlock the main meter data, add submetering at critical measuring points, and bring it all…
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Knowledge base
Predictive maintenance: maintenance based on condition
Predictive maintenance is maintenance you carry out on the basis of the actual condition of a machine, measured with sensors, so that you step in just before a…
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Knowledge base
Preventive versus predictive maintenance
You carry out preventive maintenance at fixed intervals, time or running hours, regardless of the actual condition; you carry out predictive maintenance on the basis of measured condition, exactly when it is needed.
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Knowledge base
TPM and autonomous maintenance
TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) is an approach in which operators and the maintenance department watch over machine condition together; autonomous maintenance is the part where operators themselves…
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Knowledge base
Condition monitoring with sensors
Condition monitoring is the continuous measurement of the state of a machine with sensors, vibration, temperature, current draw, sound or speed, in order to see wear and emerging faults…
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Knowledge base
Data ownership: your production data in your own Azure
At VDS your production data stays yours: it is stored in your own Microsoft Azure environment, under your own management and ownership, instead of in a supplier's platform.
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Knowledge base
Secure OT connectivity: network segmentation and machine data
Secure OT connectivity means reading out machine data without mixing your production network (OT) and office network (IT): where possible the connection runs in one direction, via a…
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