Underutilizing human potential on floor
With robotic machine tending solutions on a CNC machine shop floor, workers have a better opportunity to contribute to the overall manufacturing process.
Lean manufacturing concepts have been around for over 70 years, and machine shop owners are abundantly aware of the competitive benefits. By increasing value and reducing the amount of work required to perform tasks on a shop floor, many shops have experienced a transformation that has allowed them to significantly improve profitability and boost sales. A core part of lean manufacturing is the removal of waste from the manufacturing floor. The Toyota Production System identified eight wastes that are understood widely by machine shop managers.
1. Transportation. Nonvalue-added movement of parts, material and information.
2. Waiting. When people, parts, systems or facilities stand idle while waiting for a work cycle to finish.
3. Overproduction. Producing parts more quickly or in greater quantities than a customer
demands.
4. Defects. Producing parts so flawed that customers would deem them unacceptable.
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April 2021
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