In a manufacturing shop floor, there are a series of sequential value-adding operations carried out to deliver a finished product ready for customer consumption. This value flow process can be executed using a single-piece flow (SPF) (one-piece flows through a series of operations adjacent to each other) or a batch flow (BF) approach (flow of two or more pieces in a batch through the operations). Motorcycle assembly on an assembly line is an example of a single-piece flow, while washing and drying processes for a batch of 5-7 dirty clothes exemplify batch flow processing. Each flow approach has its pros and cons.
As a young disciple of lean manufacturing, I learned that SPF on shop floors is always beneficial. It facilitates material flow, space optimisation, and inventory control, thereby reducing operational costs.
It was shared that SPF is characterised by its speed, as waiting time per piece is negligible, thereby meeting customer needs faster and facilitating high equipment utilisation. It moves inventory faster, enhancing the stock turn ratio (STR) and reduces lead time, thereby improving responsiveness to customers. It also exposes quality issues quicker, only to be resolved, thereby mitigating customers' quality concerns. Lower labour costs and overheads are other important features of SPF. However, the characteristics of the BF are weak in each of these factors. The explanations were logical and convincing to me.
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av The Machinist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av The Machinist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE NEW OFFICECHAIN FROM IGUS
More and more people are using height-adjustable desks for ergonomic working.
LAPP INDIA TO SHOWCASE LATEST INDUSTRIAL COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS AT AUTOMATION EXPO 2024
LAPP India, a leading provider of cable and connectivity solutions, will be showcasing its latest Industrial Communication solutions at the upcoming Automation Expo 2024. The event will be held from 21st to 24th August 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC) in Mumbai.
EXPERIENCE UPGRADED DRILLING WITH KENNAMETAL'S NEXT GENERATION DRILL FIX PRO™™
Drilling or holemaking is a metal cutting process used to produce circular holes of desired sizes, depths, quality, and tolerances via three types of drills - solid drills, modular drills, and indexable drills - each with their own unique advantages.
FROM TECH UPGRADES TO CYBER PARADES
With manufacturers embracing news age technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics to their production processes, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has grown multi fold. Here's a study on the digital manufacturing revolution, the challenges of transitioning, the critical need for cybersecurity, and the future trends shaping the industry.
INDIA'S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY SURGES: CHALLENGING CHINA'S DOMINANCE AMIDST SKILL DEFICITS
The success of India's foray into electronics manufacturing hinges on infrastructural and policy support, along with the availability of a proficient workforce capable of driving innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. The article underscores the importance of addressing the skill deficit and why it is essential to fully capitalise on the sector's growth potential and ensure its longterm sustainability.
"BY FY 2025, OUR ORDER INTAKE WILL GROW BY 12-15 PER CENT"
Reshu Madan, the new CEO of Sterlite Power's Global Products and Solutions business, aims to position the company as one of the top ten global wire and cable companies. In a recent interview, he outlined plans for sustained growth, seizing emerging opportunities, expanding into export markets, and developing high-performance products. Madan also discussed the company's demerger and other plans in an interview with Nisha Shukla.
THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR EFFECTIVE METROLOGY IMPLEMENTATION
Aveen Padmaprabha, Head of Industrial Quality Solutions, Carl Zeiss India (Bangalore) Pvt. Ltd., discusses the benefits of continuous training and development in metrology and addresses common implementation mistakes.
UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF DATA-DRIVEN MANUFACTURING
The article delves into the smart manufacturing adoption in India, emphasising the crucial role of data. It also discusses how manufacturers can tackle challenges such as data silos, cultural resistance, and the digital skills gap to leverage their data fully.
IN-LINE LEAK TESTING: ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SOLUTION FOR APPLIANCES
A look at Marposs' Dryer Heat Pump Leak Test application and how it ensures high product quality without compromising the requisite high productivity to meet market demands at production sites.
EXICOM TO ACQUIRE BUSINESS AND ASSETS OF TRITIUM
Exicom Tele-systems Limited, India’s largest electric vehicle charger manufacturer, announced that its subsidiary Exicom Power Solutions B.V. Netherlands and other step-down subsidiaries, have entered into a definitive agreement under which it will acquire business and assets of Tritium group of companies (henceforth referred to as “Tritium”), a distinguished global leader in DC fast chargers, headquartered in Australia.