Lean Manufacturing
Has Lean Become Too Extreme?
Surges in demand reveal a weakness of just-in-time supply chains.
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Outsource Regionally Instead of Nationally
The logic of “offshoring” often makes more sense when there is no shore involved. Considerable savings can result from sending work to different regions of the USA.
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Machining Reimagined As A Lean Resource
It was a bold move for this company to install four new machine tools, including two turn-mills, at one time, but it was the only way to take the lean journey to a higher level.Â
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The Responsiveness Robot
For this lean shop dedicated to low-inventory kanban relationships with customers, the most critical measure of efficiency revealed the value of robotic loading.
Read MoreEvaluating Equipment In New Ways
Your first steps on the lean manufacturing journey are typically taken with existing equipment in tow. As you continue down the path, though, make sure that your new equipment purchases support the lean initiatives you hope to sustain.
Read MoreWhat Lean Looks Like
A lean manufacturing consultant lists ways that lean shops look and operate differently.
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The Most Valuable Resource For Succeeding At Lean
What is the most valuable resource? The answer is probably obvious: the people. This shop started to succeed at lean manufacturing once every employee got involved.
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Moving Forward In Order To Stay Put
This job shop’s commitment to lean allows its business to grow while it remains in the facility where it has to stay.
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Video: Increased Productivity With More (Not Fewer) Setups
VIDEO. Valve maker Richards Industries took a part that used to machined at one machine tool and added an additional setup on a vertical machining center. Higher throughput was the result.
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If You Want to Improve Something, Measure It
This shop involves all of its employees in the daily exercise of analyzing just where time is being spent.
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