Manufacturing Methods & Process Improvements

The key to “manufacturing methods and process improvements” is to never be satisfied with what you currently do.  Continuous improvement is a “state of mind”. We all think we know how the manufacturing is done in our facility but until we go to the shop floor and document today, previous information can be misleading.

We feel that the “best bang for the buck” is to complete a Flow Process Chart. A flow process chart is a “graphic representation of all operations, transportations, inspections, delays, and storages occurring during a process or procedure”. It includes the operation cycle time and distance the operator or product/material moves.

Lean Manufacturing uses a tool named “Lean Value Stream Mapping” that is similar and either method will result in improved process flow, reduced work-in-process, decreases in production time, eliminating non-necessary operations, decreased manufacturing cost and therefore, quicker customer response time.

Our engineers can either work with your manufacturing team to get this important step done or complete this entire step. Customers are always surprised at what they learn is really happening on the shop-floor. Start in one operation or one department but START!