Your Manufacturing Floor And 5s System 5s Methodology: Sort; Set in Order; Shine; Standardize; Sustain. In my decades working in the plastics business, Ive come to value this measurable formula of productivity which greatly optimizes manufacturing and cuts down wasted time and assets. The 5s approach works. To Start, I want to quickly tell you a little about 5s and its background: History Though the original 5s concept dates back as much as the 1500s, it was in Japan that the idea was improved and carefully defined by an automotive industry leader. Listed below are the original Japanese terms with their immediate translations: Seiri (Tidiness); Seiton (Orderliness); Seiso (Cleanliness); Seiketsu (Standardization); Shitsuke (Discipline). Amazingly, 5 English S-words can also be substituted for each of the Japanese words in a interesting east-meets-west adaptation from the concept: Seiri (Sorting); Seiton (Straightening); Seiso (Sweeping); Seiketsu (Standardization); Shitsuke (Sustaining). Although history classes are not my purpose here, Ive presented enough for you to be interesting at parties and impress your colleagues on the production floor. Quick Rundown These 5 S terms, are simply just labels that cover a broader principle. Listed here are some straightforward explanations...a lot more may also be found on my website. *Sorting A generalized expression for prioritizing. From tools to technique to training, separate that which you will need and everything you dont. *Straightening (or setting in order) This has to do with simplifying your actual surroundings. A kind of workspace optimization because it applies to resources and equipment. *Sweeping (or cleaning) Underestimated but important aspect within the 5s formula. Cleaning becomes a component of the workflow, instead of simply just a job done when things get behind. *Standardizing Every person should be conscious of their duties. This solidifies the first three measures. Without any standardizing, measures one, two, and three have no actual strength. *Sustaining (or discipline) Here is the place it fails or succeeds. A plant may have a 5s expert come in and give your entire production floor the works, but if there isnt a commitment afterward (ie, self-discipline or stainability -- youve wasted your investment and your time, and the responsibility is actually yours.) Safety and Security Some add safety and security into the list. Technically these would be addressed and will naturally take place once the 5s approach is operating successfully. However some insist on adding two extra Ss and it really is only a matter of preference for the given situation. The Fact About 5s 5s will depend on human beings, not merely structure. The 5s formula is valuable in that its tested and confirmed. There are a couple of issues that can come when this system is put in motion: *Old habits die hard. Men and women are creatures of habit. In particular people with seniority in the company! Changes arent often welcome. *Cost Cost could be low or high. Its actually a lot more successful to pay a 5s specialist to visit you and set 5s in action, than to go through its fine points from the ground up and then try and implement it right out of the book (which is costly in time and morale). Also, some 5s authorities stay available for you following the initial implementation of the system. Do your homework. *Profit Profits rely upon people and also the way the system is implemented Profit may be very much improved due to the vast removal of necessary steps, injuries, wasted time, etc. This greatly depends upon how completely the issues are addressed. Indeed, there are numerous issues that many people (out of human habits and assumptions) may not see. This can be also where it may be better to hire a specialist. What else should you know? We have now accurately covered some basics, but there is plenty to be realized on the subject, a lot of which is addressed on my website. The manufacturing environment is a unique one without a doubt, requiring a knowledge of persons and procedure, giving each its valuable attention. A little about me... I have over 25 enjoyable years in the plastics industry of which the last 15 had been with the management level. I started my carrier on the ground floor of processing a variety of types of injection and blow molding machines with a toy corporation, to a Sr. Process Engineering with a very big corporation. My role as Sr. Process Engineering gave me the chance to sharpen my capabilities processing a host of plasticizing tools employing various types of colorant. On top of that, it also gave me the chance to call on both big and small enterprises and assist them processing plastics. Throughout that time, I was in a position to observe quite a few different environments on the manufacturing floor. It is really due to that experience I got serious with the 5S approach. I derive excellent joy in seeing a crew find achievements through the implementation of the 5s formula. 5s is about people and commitment to a common purpose, and thats particularly where it gets its strength. Written by Bob Blanchette, 5s system consultant. Visit my Manufacturing Floor 5s website for more information on the 5s system. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 08:08:45 +0000