Value stream map is a visual mean to portray and improve the flow of a manufacturing and production process, as well as the information that controls the flow of materials through the process. In this article we will review how to create a value stream map. A value stream map will take into account not [...]
Root Cause Analysis In simple words, an underlying cause of the problem is referred to as the root cause and the process of finding out the root cause of a problem or an adverse event is known as root cause analysis. Some problems are so rigid and tenacious that they won’t go away that [...]
In lean manufacturing, andon refers to state presentation station. It is a visual presentation of ongoing operations and indicates where any action is needed. It is considered as the most effective intercommunication tool as it allows the process to run sleekly without any impediment or jam. Andon is ancient Japanese terminology for accustomed paper [...]
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is an industry-standard procedure for measuring and monitoring quality during the manufacturing process. Quality data as Product or Process estimations are acquired in real-time during manufacturing. This data is then plotted on a graph with predetermined control limits. Control limits are determined by the capability of the process, though the [...]
There have been debates when it comes to Lean and Six Sigma, in the business world. Most individuals have solid views about which method is more functional for removing waste and cutting costs. Six Sigma is a set of methods that attempt to greatly decrease the rate of defects, while Lean manufacturing is an [...]
In lean manufacturing Heijunka means “production leveling”. In business of any nature, fluctuations can occur due to changing customer’s demands and needs. Therefore, in order to smooth out the production process, implementation of heijunka production leveling is really important. Heijunka promotes just in time manufacturing. It improves the efficiency of production process by leveling [...]
Jidoka is considered as one of the most important pillar of Toyota production system, the other being just-in-time manufacturing. It is a Japanese term, which means “Autonomation”. Jidoka focus mainly at quality from the core. For every organization, quality is the most important tool to achieve success through excellence and jidoka provides the pathway [...]
Just-in-time manufacturing is the manufacturing tool in which products are made according to customer’s demands, for example, when they need it, in what quantity and the quality parameters etc. it is also recognized as “pull production system” as the production is triggered by the arrival of an order. It was first derived by Toyota [...]
The Hoshin Kanri method tries to get each and every employee pulling in a similar direction and at the same time. It attains this by aligning the aims of the company (Strategy) with the plans of middle management (Techniques) as well as the work performed by all staff (Operations). What Is the Hoshin Kanri [...]
“Takt time is the maximal time taken by a product to be manufactured so that it meets the customer demands.” It is derived from a German word “baton” that means “Pulse”, “Pace”, “Rhythm” or “beat”. For example, if a company needs 20 minutes to complete a product that meets the customer demands, then that [...]
