Why shouldn’t there be lean principles for machinist? Lean principles may need no introduction. These tenets aim to create the most value possible while using the least amount of resources. Above all, adherents to the lean philosophy endeavor to understand the customer’s values and meet those needs in a highly efficient way. Lean is not a set of fixed steps but a mindset. Machine shops and manufacturers are becoming hotbeds for innovation, customization and essential fabrication, so lean might be more relevant here than ever. Here are a few lean principles that readily apply to machinists and ..read more

Types of Fishbone Diagrams Fishbone Diagrams are a great Lean problem solving tool.  Identifying a problem is just the beginning. Soon after, you’ll need to identify the cause. There are many ways to do this and the Fishbone Diagram is one of them. Simple as it may be, even the fishbone diagram has several different structures for different purposes. The key is to choose the one that best fits the problem you’re addressing. What is a Fishbone Diagram? The Fishbone Diagram is a tool used to show the causes and effects of a problem. Kauoru Ishikawa, a professor at The University of Tokyo, n ..read more

Lean principles may need no introduction. These tenets aim to create the most value possible while using the least amount of resources. Above all, adherents to the lean philosophy endeavor to understand the customer’s values and meet those needs in a highly efficient way. Why shouldn’t there be lean principles for machinists? Lean is not a set of fixed steps but a mindset. Machine shops and manufacturers are becoming hotbeds for innovation, customization and essential fabrication, so lean might be more relevant here than ever. Here are a few lean principles that readily apply to machinists and ..read more

As sustainability initiatives grow around the globe, more eyes turn to the manufacturing sector. Minimizing energy and material waste in the industry is crucial in the fight against climate change, especially in subsectors like automotive production. Thankfully, there are many opportunities to reduce waste in automotive manufacturing. Any proponent of lean manufacturing knows waste reduction improves sustainability and increases profit margins, so it should be a priority for any automaker. The sector’s waste releases have declined by 64% since 2005, but there’s still considerable room for impr ..read more

Power plants and their grids have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. As the world relies more heavily on electricity and the need for clean power becomes more urgent, these facilities must adapt and improve. Lean management principles provide the path to that improvement. As power companies and government agencies aim to upgrade grids and build new power plants, they should consider a lean management approach. Here are five ways these strategies can help organizations create better energy infrastructure. 1. Expanding Renewable Energy One of the most significant benefits of a lean ..read more

Managing inventory is often more expensive than it used to be — and prices for everything from shipping to storage are on track to increase steadily in the near term. Lean inventory management principles can help businesses eliminate waste, improve productivity and minimize the cost of managing inventory. Implementing abstract principles can be a challenge, however. These practical process changes show how any business can incorporate lean inventory management techniques into day-to-day business operations. 1.   Count Inventory Effectively Inaccurate inventory records can be a major ..read more

Lean manufacturing principles can be applied throughout the supply chain, and successful implementations almost always denote a well-maintained and thriving operation. There are many facets of the paradigm, but lean maintenance stands out. It’s a remarkably similar concept that involves efficient and waste-lean upkeep and repairs, especially for mission-critical equipment. The two concepts go hand in hand, especially in manufacturing and logistics. Many people mistake lean maintenance as a subset instead of a separate concern. It. certainly directly impacts the general performance of lean init ..read more

Few industries are 1:1 in operational experience, meaning it’s not straightforward to compare something like heavy equipment operations to the automotive industry. However, lean principles and methodologies were originally crafted in the automotive industry to improve efficiency and reduce waste, and it would be a shame not to replicate them elsewhere. It would seem that applying these techniques doesn’t exactly fit with heavy equipment meant for large, complex tasks. However, operators and administrators looking to achieve excellence should not be fearful of incorporating lean paradigms, as i ..read more

Logistics challenges are being amplified throughout the supply chain due to shortages, cost increases, and changing customer demands. What’s more, customers now expect goods in their hands at extraordinary speeds. This means logistics and supply chain companies need to be as efficient as ever if they have any hope to achieve success and thrive in today’s market. Telematics solutions and lean implementations are excellent answers to many of the challenges because of the operational efficiency boost they can provide. Smart technologies, empowered by IoT, are revolutionizing logistics through dat ..read more

Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a commonly applied productivity metric in lean manufacturing. It measures: Production quality Manufacturing speed Equipment availability A company that achieves 100% OEE in lean manufacturing only created products that met specifications and did it as efficiently as possible with no equipment stoppages during planned production time frames. Raising a company’s OEE percentage may seem like a daunting goal. Fortunately, numerous lean principles can make it easier. Here are some practical ways to apply the lean methodology to improve overall equipment ef ..read more