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Process optimisation

Product Cost Education and training Weight reduction

 

LEAN/Kaizen concept OEE SMED 5S

Process Optimisation

If one find that the process is - or seems to be - inefficient one need a method to improve it. In most cases the quickest, easiest and most economic approach is to improve upon the current situation rather than investing in new manufacturing techniques or equipment. By first optimising the current situation one also learns a lot about what investments actually are needed.

The first question is: What kind of process is it? The basic philosophy, Kaizen, is applicable on all processes but depending on what resources or specific processes that shall be optimised the approach varies a bit.

Basic Lean/Kaizen is the natural start when one has a lot of manual work.

OEE, Overall Equipment Efficiency, suits automated processes.

SMED, Single Minute Exchange of Die, can be used to reduce all types of set-up time.

One often hear about 5S when working with lean and Kaizen. It is a concept that supports a Lean situation by organising the workplace to maximise the availability of the things needed for the task and minimise the disturbance of other things. Basically, "right thing in best place and nothing else".