Compression of production
Optimisation of “work content”: adapting lean manufacturing to existing lines.
Improved productivity can be easily achieved even on a long line. It is possible particularly by compressing spaces through LeanTek and creating productivity cells with high added value, separated by empty spaces. Compression of work spaces is a natural means of reducing mudas. It increases the level of added value for an identical surface area.
Stage of the transformation :
a)Single-product dedicated line, “mass production”
- Space not used for added value.
- Excessive space occupied by large containers or oversized racks.
- Muda of inventory and transport.
b)Single-product lean manufacturing line with LeanTek
If you cannot shorten your line because heavy plant (robots etc.) take up pre-defined locations, you can still increase your productivity by increasing the level of added value at each step of the work. The objective here is to create compact work stations and clear totally empty spaces: if the spaces are empty, nothing is happening there and there are no more mudas.
The most penalising mudas are dealt with and spaces are clearly released in case new diversity is introduced. This operation is carried out with LeanTek on Hoshin sites.
The result is a concentration of added value at each work station and the creation of free spaces that do not generate mudas.
The flexibility of the LeanTek tool not only makes lean manufacturing easier to install, but also sustains the Kaizen continual improvement process, which would be impossible with an inflexible system.
