Lean manufacturing is huge. We’ve just started to summarise some of the main tools for you.

lean tools                           how it works? benefits
5S
  • sort – eliminate obstacles, remove unnecessary items
  • systematise – organise pick up items, make work flow easy, prevent waste of time
  • shine – clean work space, prevent machine decay, create save workplaces
  • standardise – set high standards for orderliness, cleanliness and workplace organisation
  • self discipline – implement and keep good practise, be spontaneous
 5S tool secures that you become aware of waste, eliminate your problems and maintain a good practise. For example there will be no more time wasting in search for a tool or there will be no hindrances to deliver supplies fast to the production line.
bottleneck analysyis
  • recognise parts of the production process which hinder higher outputs or reduce processing times
  • measure all hinderances, analyse the biggest influences and develop improvement strategies
  • adjust material flow or information flow where necessary
 Shows weak links in your manufacturing process, increases awareness of possible problems along the entire production line and highlights risks and consequences in possible break down.
continuous flow  
  • products and supplies flow smoothly through production with no / few buffers between workplaces
 Reduces waste – no space is blocked, no waiting times or unnecessary handlings.
JIT
  • delivers supplies on production demand instead of pushing parts into factory because of project schedulesintegration of suppliers and customers in the entire supply chain
  • handling of logistics is well tuned and coordinated
 Very efficient in reducing stock levels, warehouse space and handling costs. Implementation will speed up process time and improve cash flow figures.
Kanban
  • this tool (also known as pull system) steers supplies and products through the factory
  • material flow gets regulated by signals that indicate where more parts / supplies are needed
 Kanban makes sure the manufacturing process stays slim. It minimises the risk of high stock in warehouses or overproduction scenarios. 

We are aware that other tools as automation, kaizen, level scheduling, smart goals, total productive maintenance (TPM), KPI, time collection, overall equipment efficiency (OEE), six big losses and visual factory are missing on the list above. If you need any further details about any tool mentioned above please get in touch.

If lean tools are too much detail already maybe you’ll find our manufacturing toolbox helpful.