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Lot Size: A Value Stream Constraint

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System constraints are key when it comes to optimizing our value stream. The process bottleneck limits the overall throughput and it determines such things as manufacturing lot sizes. Learning by doing is an effective way to understand how a value stream works. With this simple manufacturing line simulation you can experience the effects of alternative solutions in order to maximize profit.  When resources are shared by several products there is a setup time when changing product and you have to decide what is the optimal production lot size to optimize the process. Download this Excel file TOCeng5.xlsm from OneDrive folder Polyhedrika Close other Excel files before you open this one and enable Macros. Process Objective Run the simulator to obtain the maximum profit after one simulated week. You have an initial capital of 1000 € which you can use to buy materials to feed the blue, green and brown machines. Fixed expenses amount to 2000 €/ week and they will be subtracted from th...

Theory of Constraints with Excel Solver

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  The Theory of Constraints is a process improvement methodology that emphasizes the importance of identifying the " system constraint " or bottleneck. By leveraging this constraint, organizations can achieve their financial goals while delivering on-time-in-full to customers, avoiding stock-outs in the supply chain, reducing lead time, etc. Manufacturing Process Example With this simple value stream above, to produce products A and B, we want to illustrate the way to maximize profit taking into account the system constraints . Each product is made by assembling two sub assemblies, one of them common to both products. The process consists of three sequential operations for which there are special purpose workstations with a corresponding operator each trained for the specific job: Manufacturing Test Assembly We want to know how many products A and how many B we should produce to maximize profit. System Constraints Product Margin We want to maximize overall profit so we calcu...

Lean Management

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      COURSE OBJECTIVES Understand how Lean Management leads to productivity improvement and customer satisfaction. Apply Lean Management both to manufacturing and business processes. Identify different kinds of waste in the company. Define the Value Stream Map and identify non-value-add steps Implement "PULL" management Apply KANBAN to achieve PULL Practice with Lean tools (VSM, 5S, TPM, Visual control, etc) Develop a Lean Project  Lean Body of Knowledge INTRODUCTION Improvement Project Scheduling Just-in-case Vs Just-In-Time logistics Line Vs workshop production Production by lots Vs continuous flow VALUE ADD MANAGEMENT Waste Vs Value add Process metrics: throughput, capacity, Work-In-Process, Lead time, yield, etc WASTE IDENTIFICATION AND REDUCTION  8 Wastes: description  Waste identification Go to Gemba WORKPLACE ORGANIZATION 5S methodology 5S in shared databases and IS applications Visual management Real-time production board: plan Vs ac...