Indicator Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) in aquaculture

Resumen

Objective: The Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) indicator will be implemented in a semi-intensive tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) aquaculture production unit (APU), establishing parallels between the variables used in industrial production and those that can be quantified in aquaculture production to obtain a comprehensive process indicator.

Design/methodology/approach: The Deming cycle was implemented. During the plan phase, its application in aquaculture production units was investigated, and analogies between production processes were established. In the do phase, variables were adapted and implemented in eight production batches. In the check phase, the new formulas were adjusted to determine availability, yield, and quality. Finally, in the action phase, the OEE of each batch studied was calculated, along with confidence intervals, a paired t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results: Performance figures of 90.58%, availability of 95.32%, and quality of 86.11% were identified, yielding an overall operational efficiency (OEEaq) value of 76.37%. 95% confidence intervals were obtained for all batches, batches with electrical failures, and the remaining batches. Paired t-tests were performed on pairs of indicators, and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. In the evaluation of all batches, the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the quality indicator is the widest: 0.57–1.08. The results indicate that availability is both stable and reliable, while performance remains relatively stable; however, its impact is contingent upon the quality of the indicators. The identified area for improvement is quality.

Limitations/Implications: Provided adequate records exist, it is feasible to comprehensively evaluate each batch produced in a semi-intensive tilapia farm using the OEE indicator. It would be relevant to document the values ​​of other facilities and evaluate whether the application of the indicator facilitates the formulation of guidelines.

Findings/Conclusions: From an initial perspective, OEE can be used as an overall indicator in the semi-intensive tilapia production process.