Lean ManufacturingProfessor Eduardo Díez of the Official University Master's Degree in Integrated Logistics and International Trade at Bureau Veritas University Center, talks to us in this post about the principle of Lean Manufacturing.
« Lean » is an English word that could be translated as «lean, lean or slim», but when applied to a production system its meaning could be translated as «agile or flexible», that is, capable of adapting to the needs of customers and above all eliminating (or at least mitigating as much as possible) what everyone would especially like: waste . This would be, in essence, the principle of Lean Manufacturing .
Waste can be considered as anything (operations, actions, tasks, etc.) that does not add any value to the products and/or services offered. Therefore, customers do not perceive these activities as differentiating, and are therefore not willing to pay for that distinctive extra that makes these products or services unique.
Lean production is therefore recognised as a type of twitter data adjusted production that will use resources much more efficiently . There should therefore be a clear interest in knowing and applying the most important tools of this philosophy, based on continuous improvement , total quality control , elimination of waste , supplies at the precise time and quantity , taking advantage of all potential and the participation and involvement of all staff.
Without a doubt, delving into the tools of Lean Manufacturing will allow us to rigorously analyze and study a key area within any Organization, known as " Operations Management ", especially optimizing the so-called " Production Function ", in which high costs are always generated .
Next, and as an introduction, some methodologies that Lean Manufacturing is based on are cited and defined .
VSM ( Value Stream Mapping )
Technique developed with the aim of supporting the design of production systems . It allows the implementation of more competitive and efficient value chains integrated by all the activities that are necessary to transform inputs into finished products or services .
It is based on visual maps that allow you to see, plan, define and verify processes, integrating graphics that show logistical flows of materials and information.