Operational Definitions Make Data Collection More Consistent
Operational definitions are defined as a clear description of what is to be observed and measured, such that different people taking or interpreting the data will do so consistently. It answers the question: “What do we mean by a defect?” “A service?” “How do we measure a characteristic?” Here are a few examples that occurred because there wasn’t an operational...
Read MoreTips To Ensure Your Kaizen Event Is Successful
Kaizen events are meant to be focused, short in length, low risk, and low cost. The idea is to try something, see if it works, then try something else. Kaizen events are a means of continually making improvements, identify waste and eliminate it adding more value as each new improvement is made. They are not intended to be a one-time event. The kaizen event must be planned and structured. ...
Read MoreHow To Achieve One-Piece Production In Machining Operations
Last week, I discussed how Henry Ford developed one-piece-flow in his assembly operation and why he could not implement one-piece production in his machining operations. But all was not lost due to Taichi Ohno’s persistence, and one-piece production became a reality in machining operations. This week I’ll focus on the rules and conditions necessary to implement one-piece production...
Read MoreAdvent of One-Piece Flow In Machining Operations
Everyone will agree that Henry Ford developed the automobile assembly line. Back in Ford’s day, there were two ways to assembly automobiles. One way was to keep cars stationary while moving the assembly workers around; the other was to keep the assembly workers stationary while shuttling the vehicles around. Realizing how bulky and heavy automobiles were, Ford initially thought it better to...
Read MoreAutomation With A Human Touch
One of the two pillars of the Toyota Production System is autonomation, meaning automation with a human touch. The concept originated in the early 1900s when Sakichi Toyoda invented a textile loom that stopped automatically when a thread broke. Previously, if a line broke, the loom would make mounds of defective fabric, so each machine needed to be watched by an operator. Toyoda’s...
Read More