Production
06-01-2011
ONE PIECE FLOW PRODUCTION
With one piece flow production, machines & process steps are physically located next to each other & work proceeds one piece at a time. This is an efficient way of converting raw material into finished product, which eliminates or minimises transportation, handling of parts & WIP
ONE PIECE FLOW – EFFECT ON LEAD TIME
ONE PIECE FLOW – BENEFITS
- First Part completed after 3 units of time
- All parts completed after 6 units of time
- Batch process sees the first part complete after 12 units of time
- Batch process is finally complete after 15 units of time
TAKT TIME
Takt time is the heartbeat of the manufacturing process. It is the frequency at which one part should be produced to match the customer requirement!
Take is the German word for beat. The main benefits of Takt time production are:
- Easily managed – Stock levels remain constant reducing ‘feast or famine’
- Consistent quality – Workforce become more familiar and variation is reduced
- Efficiency – Familiarity breeds skills and mastery
- Accountability – The workforce begin to add a sense of pride and achievement when targets reached.
WORKING OUT TAKT TIME
TAKT TIME ILLUSTRATED
Customer demand changes so review of Takt time is important. However, it allows the work in an area to be balanced, freeing up people and machines. It also identifies bottleneck operations so constraints can be removed.
