Assembly considerations are changing as most manufacturers recognize the value proposition of cellular manufacturing. Cellular manufacturing is a process of manufacturing which is a subsection of just-in-time manufacturing and lean manufacturing encompassing group technology. The goal of cellular manufacturing is to move as quickly as possible, making a wide variety of similar products, while making as little waste as possible.
Because there are multiple parts per assembly cell, utilizing this lean method of producing similar products using cells, or groups of team members, to facilitate operations by eliminating setup and unneeded costs between operations. Cells might be designed for a specific process, part, or a complete product.
Topper industrial uses the flexibility of daughter carts to meet the variety of cart height requirements within a confined area while considering material equipment flow and sequencing. From lift tables to tilt carts to rotation carts, delivering to a manufacturing cell for assembly provides a comprehensive flexibility versus the inefficient traffic of fork trucks throughout the pant.
One of the assembly metrics used most often is takt time. Takt is the German word for the baton that an orchestra conductor uses to regulate the tempo of the music. Takt time may be thought of as a measurable “beat time,” “rate time,” or “heartbeat.” In Lean, takt time is the rate at which a finished product needs to be completed in order to meet customer demand.
Takt time should not be confused with cycle time. Cycle time for a process is the time it takes for that process step to be completed. Takt time is the average demand from the customer and therefore the rate at which products should be produced.
One other metric is the flow rate usually expressed as an average rate. Flow time is the amount of time a flow unit spends in a business process from beginning to end, also known as the total processing time. If there is more than one path through the process, the flow time is equivalent to the length of the longest path. In the world of assembly within smaller manufacturing cells, smaller equipment is needed, and line-side delivery is part of the answer.
About Topper Industrial
For more than twenty years, Topper Industrial, (www.topperindustrial.com) based just outside of Milwaukee, WI, has been a leader in the material handling equipment industry. The company’s product roster features industrial carts, conveyors, lifts, lifts & tilts, shipping racks, containers, casters, and cart components. From mother-daughter carts to quad steer carts to tilt carts and rotate carts, Topper’s material handling solutions make delivering material line side more effective through more efficient practices. Topper Industrial has a team of experienced professional experts able to assess and provide the right product for all material handling equipment requirements.
Topper Industrial is a proud member of MHI. Follow on Twitter @TopperInd or on LinkedIn.