Most people are familiar with the term lean manufacturing and how it is used to focus on waste reduction and overall process improvement. While lean concepts have been a proven way to benefit just about any facility, it is also a great option for companies that want to improve workplace safety. Lean and safety really go together very well. In fact, one of the most popular lean methods, 5S, is commonly being ‘upgraded’ to 6S, …
Six Sigma is a manufacturing methodology that can easily get confusing. With statistics and its vast number of tools, it is important to understand the basics of implementation for a successful Six Sigma project. When it comes to integrating Six Sigma into your facility, there are two methods one can use as a guiding force. Both of these methods are based off of W. Edwards Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. DMAIC The DMAIC process is the improvement cycle …
5S is an element of Lean Manufacturing, providing workers and managers alike with a visually simple, logical system to organize work areas in both office and manufacturing environments. The goal of 5S is to ‘streamline’ the business and manufacturing plant, enhancing both worker focus and safety. Another benefit, for those bean counters in your midst, is a positive influence on a company’s bottom line, or earning potential. 5S simply stands for the 5 steps (or …
When you manufacture something, production is never on one constant level. Instead there are peaks and valleys that you will need to account for in your business. Products may be discontinued, altered, or even recalled, and demand is a constantly changing number. having a flexible manufacturing process will make it significantly easier to respond to production changes Kanban is a flexible system that is able to help you meet changes in demand and produce accordingly. …
Kaizen is the idea of having continuous improvement in the workplace bycontinuously making small incremental changes throughout time that will add up to a larger impact on the manufacturing process and ultimately the bottom line. Implementing the tools of Kaizen and going through Kaizen activities are important for the success and businesses may take different approaches. Daily Kaizen is often used to address smaller improvements while Kaizen events have a more specific focus on a …
Organization in the workplace is essential in keeping a facility efficient and workers safe. By taking a few simple steps and implementing easy organization practices, you’ll find workers will not have to spend extra time searching for specific materials and tools, thus ensuring your customers will receive their orders as fast as possible. There are several areas and spaces around a workplace that could use some practical organizational strategies including workbenches, work cells, shelves, walkways, …
Kaizen is both a methodology and a philosophy at the core of Lean manufacturing. Continuous improvement is synonymous with kaizen, meaning no process is fully developed, people should always be looking for ways processes can be improved. Kaizen focuses on improving processes, standardizing processes, involving workers from all levels, and much more. The following are five strategies, out of many, that kaizen uses: Gemba: The phrase “go to Gemba first” is common when talking about …
Have you heard of 6S? You might be familiar with 5S, a manufacturing methodology aimed to reduce waste and optimize productivity through creating and maintaining an organized workplace utilizing visual cues. 6S builds upon the original five steps, rounding it out with the sixth S: safety. Safety is an important component of productivity and waste and can effectively reduce downtime, reduce expenses, impact work quality, and create and foster safety culture in the workplace. Here …