#1 Manufacturing Glossary

The most comprehensive glossary on OEE, MES, Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean Production, Shop Floor Management and many other topics related to your production!

Actuator Sensor Interface (AS-i)

Actuator Sensor Interface is an industrial network system for the automation level.

Adaptive Manufacturing

Adaptive manufacturing refers to a highly flexible production strategy in which systems and processes are able to adapt to changes in real time.

Additive manufacturing (3D printing)

Additive manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing process in which objects are created by adding material layer by layer.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS)

An Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS) is a software-based solution aimed at optimizing production planning and control.

Advanced Process Control (APC)

APC bezeichnet fortgeschrittene Prozesssteuerungssysteme, um die Produktionsprozesse zu optimieren und die Effizienz zu steigern.

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)

APQP is a structured process to ensure the quality and reliability of products through all phases of product development.

Advanced robotics

Robotics refers to the use of robots in manufacturing to perform tasks that are dangerous, repetitive or impossible for humans.

Alarm Management (AM)

Alarm management refers to the process of designing, implementing and maintaining alarm systems in industrial facilities.

Anticipatory change planning (AVP)

Anticipatory change planning refers to the strategic approach in the manufacturing industry of foreseeing and planning accordingly.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to systems or machines that mimic human-like intelligence and abilities.

Assemble To Order (ATO)

Assemble To Order refers to a production process in which end products are assembled on the basis of specific customer orders.

Auto-ID Technology

Auto-ID technology, short for automatic identification technology, comprises various methods for automatic recognition.

Available to Promise (ATP)

ATP, short for Available to Promise, is an important term in production planning and logistics that indicates the available quantity of a product.

Barcode

A barcode is an optically machine-readable representation of data that encodes information about the object to which it is attached.

Batch Number

The batch number, also known as the batch number, is a unique identifier that is assigned to a specific production batch.

Batch Report

A batch report documents the production and testing of a batch in detail.

Big Data

Big data is a term used to describe extremely large amounts of data.

Blockchain in manufacturing

Blockchain technology in the manufacturing industry is revolutionizing the way data is captured, shared and verified by providing decentralized and tamper-proof data storage.

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

Capital Expenditure refers to funds used by a company to acquire, upgrade, or maintain long-term assets such as buildings, vehicles, or equipment.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing enables flexible access to IT resources via the internet, optimizes costs and supports digital transformation.

Cloud-Native

Cloud-native refers to a software development method that is specifically designed for the advantages of cloud computing architecture.

Continuous Improvement Process (CIP)

The Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) is a perpetual effort to enhance products, services, or processes.

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)

Cyber-physical systems integrate physical processes with digital control and monitoring technology.

Data Protection

Data protection is the protection of personal information from unauthorized disclosure or destruction.

Digital Transformation

Digital transformation refers to the process of integrating digital technologies into all business areas.

Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object or system.

Edge Computing

Edge Computing is especially used in IoT environments to enable real-time analysis and decisions at the site of action, which is crucial for Industry 4.0.

Enterprise Resource Planning-System (ERP)

An ERP system is a software solution that is used to efficiently manage and control a company's resources - from finance to production to personnel.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

FMEA is a systematic method for identifying and assessing potential failures in products or processes and determining the effects of those failures.

Failure rate

The failure rate is an important indicator in production technology that quantifies the reliability and service life of machines and systems.

Greenfield

A greenfield project refers to the construction of plants, factories or IT systems on a greenfield site.

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC)

HRC refers to systems in which humans and robots work together in the same work area.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

IIoT networks industrial machines for improved automation and efficiency, revolutionizing production processes through real-time data analysis.

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing manufacturing through digitalization, smart technologies and networking to increase production efficiency and flexibility.

Industry 5.0

The approach aims to use robots and AI systems supported by human skills and creativity.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT connects physical and digital objects for real-time data and actions and drives digital transformation.

Just in Time (JIT)

The just-in-time principle, as an integral part of lean manufacturing and lean management, aims to reduce waste in all its forms and thus increase operational efficiency.

Kaizen

Kaizen, meaning "change for the better", is an approach for continuous, incremental improvement in manufacturing and management.

Lean Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing, similar to Lean Production, is a systematic approach to minimizing waste within manufacturing systems.

Lean Production

Lean Production is a management approach focused on maximizing customer value by minimizing waste.

Machine learning in production

Machine learning through AI enables systems to learn from experience and improve automatically.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

MES is a system that controls and monitors production processes in real time and improves efficiency and quality.

Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT)

MQTT is a lightweight publish/subscribe based messaging protocol designed for use in resource-constrained environments.

Near Field Communication (NFC)

NFC, short for Near Field Communication, is a form of Auto-ID technology that enables wireless communication over short distances.

On-Premises

On-premises refers to a software deployment model in which applications and data are hosted on physical servers.

Operational Excellence

Operational excellence is a far-reaching concept based on the philosophy of continuous improvement.

Operational Expenditure (OPEX)

Operational Expenditure includes the ongoing costs for running a company.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

OEE measures the efficiency of production facilities through availability, performance and quality in order to optimize productivity.

Process Automation

Process automation refers to the use of technology to automate recurring tasks and processes in a company.

Production Data Collection (PDC)

Production data collection tracks manufacturing operations to optimize processes and improve efficiency.

Production Planning and Control System (PPS)

A Production Planning and Control System (PPS) is a software system designed to plan, control, and monitor manufacturing processes.

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Quality management systems are formalized systems that document processes in order to achieve quality guidelines and objectives.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

RFID is a technology that enables the automation and tracking of products throughout the supply chain.

Real-Time Data Monitoring (RTDM)

This process allows data administrators to monitor the changes made to the data in real time.

Resource efficiency

Resource efficiency refers to the optimal use of materials and energy in the production process.

Shopfloor Management

Shop Floor Management refers to the operational management and control of manufacturing processes directly on the factory floor.

Shopfloor Terminal

They promote efficient communication and data transparency right at the point of action, thus supporting the optimization of production processes.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a data-driven approach and a methodology for improving quality and efficiency in processes.

Smart Factory

A smart factory uses advanced technologies for self-optimizing production that increases efficiency, flexibility and individualization.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a model where software is provided over the internet instead of purchasing and installing it.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Supply chain management, or SCM for short, refers to the monitoring and control of materials, information and finances along the entire supply chain.

Traceability

Traceability refers to the ability to track a product through all stages of its production, processing and distribution.

Work in Progress (WIP)

In manufacturing, work in progress (WIP) refers to the quantity of unfinished products that are still in the production process.