Skip to main content

Manufacturing execution system and automation

Short answer

A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a real-time computer system that tracks and controls shop floor production, scheduling jobs, allocating resources, collecting data, and managing quality. It bridges ERP (enterprise planning) and machine-level control (PLC/SCADA), distributing work orders and returning performance data.

What is a manufacturing execution system (MES)? Explain its functions and how it fits between the enterprise planning level and the shop floor control level.

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is a computer system that tracks, controls and documents the conversion of raw materials into finished goods on the shop floor in real time. It sits between the planning system (ERP) and the control systems on the machines (PLC, SCADA, CNC).

Position in the automation hierarchy

 Level 4  ERP / business planning (orders, finance)
              |        ^
              v        |  orders, status
 Level 3  MES - execution, scheduling, tracking
              |        ^
              v        |  work orders, data
 Level 2  SCADA / cell control
 Level 1  PLC / CNC / robot controllers
 Level 0  Sensors and actuators, machines

Main functions

  1. Detailed scheduling of operations on machines and sequencing of jobs.
  2. Resource allocation and status: machines, tools, labour and material.
  3. Dispatching production units: releasing work orders to cells.
  4. Document control: drawings, NC programs, work instructions delivered to the right machine.
  5. Data collection: actual times, quantities, scrap, downtime.
  6. Quality management: inspection data, SPC, traceability (lot and serial numbers).
  7. Maintenance management and performance analysis (OEE).
  8. Product tracking and genealogy.

Role in CAD/CAM

CAD/CAM supplies drawings, process plans and NC programs to the MES, which distributes them (DNC) and returns as-built data. MES gives automation its information backbone and supports CIM and smart-factory systems.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

Related questions

All Computer Aided Design chapter 6 questions →