Bottleneck machines

If machines in the line run at different speeds, then it can happen that some machines might stop more frequently than others.

Depending on the speed of each machine, a machine could stop without impacting other machines on the line, although it might slow the line down.

The bottleneck machine is a key concept in Infor MES. When the bottleneck machine stops, it is assumed that the line stops also.

The bottleneck machine can be the slowest machine on the line, meaning the performance efficiency of the line and therefore, the OEE, is heavily affected by this machine.

It can also be the machine that has the most effect on other machines on the line if it stops. In tightly coupled processes, when this machine stops, others will quickly stop as a result.