A change to One-piece flow

Example of a change from batch production to one-piece flow

Last week we observed a change from batch production to one-piece flow in a local factory. We will write more about this later…

Remember: One-piece flow is not always in one piece!

It is important to notice, that the phrase “one-piece” is not necessarely referring to the fact that products are moving piece by piece. Often it does make sence to accept a small buffer between processes. This often depends on the value of the products.

Make one-piece flow that addapts to real life

Just remember to use common sense when implementering flow and one-piece.

Think of things like

• Time for operators to have a short brake – e.g. toilet
• Is the quality of the product unknown or known – if you know that the Q is good buffer is more accepted

Start with Lean before Six Sigma

Many companies are far from ready to use Six Sigma. Lean can optimize processes from “normal” to impressing – and then Six Sigma can take over!

Read more about Lean and Six Sigma on this blog later!

5S helps you to create structure – with a lot of advantages!

Advantages with 5S in your production:
- Improved ergonomics.
- Improved safety.
- Reduced failure rate.
- Reduced proces time.

 Read more about 5S on this Lean Blog later! 

Why Lean in the Supply Chain?

Because Lean in the supply chain can support the implementation of Lean in the production and at the same time it is the way to reach the maximum benefit from Lean.

More to come…

Implementation of Lean Production/Manufacturing takes time!

Our experience when implementing Lean seen from a strategic point of view is, that there are four main phases:

1) The strategic decision
2) Ensure the basis for Lean changes
3) Continous Improvements
4) Maintain the gained level and extend the value stream

PLEASE NOTE – BLOG IS MOVED TO HTTP://YOURLEANFORUM.BLOGSPOT.COM

 

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Lean Accounting

Expert in Lean Accounting

Soon and expert in Lean Accounting will write articles in this blog!

What is Lean Administration?

Lean Administration is all about creating value with minimum effort!

Lean Administration is all about creating value in the administrative value stream. Lean Administration is the heading for a list of tools to work with Lean in your administrative activities. Mainly the tools helps you to indentify the value stream and to minimize/eliminate the waste found in this value stream. The tools are all closely linked to the five Lean principles.

The tools can be used in any kind of administrative flow. In these flows you will always find waiting, rework due to bad quality, stocks seen as overloaded mailboxes or files, change in responsibility and missing standard work. Non of these create value to your customers.

Possible results using Lean in your administration:
- Improved customer service
- More simple and visible flow
- Reduced waste (in Lean = Muda) and less rework
- Improve throughput time
- Etc.

What is Lean Accounting?

More later…

What is Lean Production/Lean Manufacturing?

Lean Production/Lean Manufacturing is all about creating value with minimum effort!

More soon…

The 5 Lean Principles

Lean is all about creating the right value for customers with minimum effort!

The 5 Lean principles are:
1. Define value seen from the customers/markets point of view.
2. Identify the value stream (activities) that delivers the value defined in point 1.
3. Create flow in the value stream.
4. Create pull (order driven) in the value stream.
5. Create a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen) in the organisation.