There are many names by which this methodology is known: Just in time, lean manufacturing, agile manufacturing, world-class manufacturing, Toyota production system and more. The results obtained through its practices make it one of the most successful and revolutionary production philosophies in history.
What is Lean Manufacturing?
Lean Manufacturing is a continuous and systematic process of identifying and eliminating activities that do not add value in a process, but if they involve cost and effort. The main philosophy underpinning Lean Manufacturing lies in the premise that “everything can be done better”; so that in an organization there must be a continuous search for opportunities for improvement.
As a result, an organization that applies Lean Manufacturing should adjust its production to demand, at the time and quantities at which it is requested, and at minimal cost. According then, Lean Manufacturing can be defined as a production philosophy that groups together a set of techniques that facilitate the design of a system to produce and supply according to demand, with the minimum cost, competitive quality and high flexibility; so that Lean Manufacturing will allow the organization to:
- Minimize your inventories
- Minimize your delays
- Minimize your workspace
- Minimize your total costs
- Minimize your energy consumption
- Improve your quality
Generally speaking, it helps make the organization more competitive, innovative and efficient.
Tools applied to a strategic model
Elimination of waste
- Continuous flow: Line balancing
- SMED technique
- Kanban
- Layout design
- 5’s and Andon
- Tpm
Variability Removal: Quality
- Six Sigma
- Poka Yoke
- Fmea
- Troubleshooting
- Statistical tools
- Standardization of work
Logistics: Delivery
- Lean logistics
- Kanban
- Heijunka
- Restrictions theory
What is Lean Manufacturing?
