Time wasted during the changeover from making one food product to another on the same production line could be slashed, following the introduction of a procedure for identifying the source of waste.
Called 'SMED Camera' the simple, paper-based technique, developed by the Manchester-based Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)- part of the Manufacturing Institute - enables line workers to identify and eliminate unnecessary procedures during changeovers.
It effectively provides a snapshot of how line changeovers are carried out and highlights any inefficiencies.
SMED - which stands for 'single minute exchange of dies' - is a process first developed within the engineering sector to reduce tooling changeover times. It is now being embraced by progressive food manufacturers that have adopted 'lean manufacturing' techniques designed to reduce waste and raise production efficiency.
MAS process improvement practitioner Tim Fox said: "It's very powerful because it helps you to visualise time, which many people struggle to get to grips with." In some cases 40min changeovers and longer have been reduced to just 10min, following SMED Camera's use, said Fox. "I'd be surprised if any company can't reduce its changeover times."
Expensive engineers' time saved can be used to introduce preventative maintenance work and other activities aimed at raising the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) of machinery and production lines, claimed Fox.
http://www.mas.dti.gov.uk/categories/Manage/Performance/cs_Amcor_PET_Packaging.jsp