Lean Manufacturing
Focusing On Growth
Although Brunson Instrument Co.'s shop is in an underground cave, lean manufacturing unearthed production capacity that could be devoted to new products. A novel approach to accelerated product development helped the company focus on a growth strategy to get the most from this "lean-induced" opportunity. The local Manufacturing Extension Partnership center introduced the company to Eureka! Winning Ways, developed by Doug Hall.
Read MoreThe Connection Between Labor and Lean
Lean manufacturing is about identifying and optimizing variables that affect cost and time. This same systemization can make the process easier to staff.
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The Basics Of Producing Big Parts
This Florence, Kentucky-based machine tool builder uses its own equipment to produce machine tools. Here’s how they succeed at big-part machining on a large five-axis machining center.
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Bryco Before and After
Within a two-month period, this Chicago-area contract shop reorganized the shopfloor, implemented new procedures and eliminated employee toolboxes. Here are the benefits the shop has seen.
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Lean Manufacturing For The Job Shop
Lean practices are not just for predictable production. Here are the common-sense ways this low-volume job shop has implemented a leaner process.
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How CNC Led To Cells
Bringing CNC into a previously manual process set this shop on a lean path that has led to continuous flow production.
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Cells To The Max
Brad Hart, president of Roberts Tool Company, in Chatsworth, California, believes that automated cells are the key to survival for companies likes his that machine complex, high-precision parts for aerospace and defense. Cellular manufacturing makes it possible to reduce lead times dramatically and minimize labor input while increasing throughput and improving quality, he says. In his shop, a cell consisting of two Toyoda HMCs and a dozen pallet stations epitomizes the lean manufacturing concepts that Mr. Hart finds so compelling. However, he says that shop owners have to get out of the business of making parts and into the business of building processes--processes such as those embodied in a lean manufacturing cell.
Read MoreSwitzerland Is Learning To Be Lean
Earlier this year, visited a cross section of metalworking manufacturing companies in Switzerland to find out how they are meeting the challenge of globally competitive manufacturing.
Read MoreAerospace OEMs Back A Lean Sea Change
A lean enterprise initiative comprised of aerospace primes and their suppliers, attempts to bring commonality to the supply chain. Its strategy is to provide a gage to measure lean progress and a roadmap to the higher levels of process maturity.
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Why Boeing Is Big On Right-Size Machine Tools
Simple, dedicated machines save on capital expense, while they also make it possible to realize one-piece flow. These machines are often developed internally. 'Chaku-chaku' is the new ideal.
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