Bosch Rexroth Provides Tips for Combining Automation Technology with Lean Manufacturing
Despite claims to the contrary, automation technology can be used as a tool to help implement lean manufacturing solutions. When used correctly, it can help eliminate both error and waste in a lean operation.
(Buchanan, MI - www.boschrexroth-us.com/lean) Bosch Rexroth is offering tips on how to use automation technology as a tool to help solve lean manufacturing challenges
Developed with lean manufacturing expert Jamie Flinchbaugh, Rexroth's "Lean Manufacturing and Automation Technology" puts to rest the myths about the roles of automation and lean and focuses more on when it makes sense to consider automation solutions to lean manufacturing problems.
Flinchbaugh, who is co-founder of the Lean Learning Center and co-author of the popular book The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean, emphasizes that automation can actually eliminate error and waste, as well as reduce cycle time and streamline processes. He says automation offers significant potential for manufacturers implementing lean, as long as it is applied to the specific challenges that it is best suited to solve.
For example, when evaluating whether to implement automation in a lean strategy, consider these tips:
o Use a Plan-Do-Check-Act process of developing and testing a hypothesis before investing time and money into an automation solution. Model the improvement the automation may achieve, test it, and then see if it can be used to prevent a given problem.
o Look for automation design features to be inherently flexible. The more flexibility the features have, the better chance a lean operation has to improve. Test how effective a given technology is for a specific situation or challenge, and then pick the most flexible technology.
o Be aware of the difference between using automation to solve a specific job or task problem, vs. using automation in the context to the whole manufacturing process. You can automate just one step and make the entire process more efficient.
o Lean is about continuous improvement and reducing errors. Automation can be used in error proofing, for example, to warn when an error has occurred.
"Lean Manufacturing and Automation Technology" is episode number eight in Rexroth's lean manufacturing podcast series, available for listening or free download from the company's website at www.boschrexroth-us.com/leanpodcast. The podcast series is also available from the iTunes podcast library and other podcast directories on the web.
Developed by Bosch Rexroth's Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies group, each eight- to ten-minute lean manufacturing podcast episode presents guest experts and information to help manufacturers and OEMs understand and apply lean principles and practices in their businesses.
Visit www.boschrexroth-us.com/lean for more information on lean manufacturing.
Bosch Rexroth AG, part of the Bosch Group, achieved sales of approximately $7.4 billion (5.4 billion Euros) in 2007 with nearly 33,000 employees. Under the brand name of Rexroth the company offers all drive and control technologies, from mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics to electronics and associated service. Over 500,000 customers worldwide utilize Rexroth's unique technological know-how to implement their innovative and future-oriented systems and machine concepts. The global player, represented in over 80 countries, is an extensive supplier of components and systems for industrial and factory automation and mobile applications. Visit www.boschrexroth-us.com for more information.
For more information, please contact
Bosch Rexroth Corporation
Kevin Gingerich
816 E. Third Street
Buchanan, MI 49107
Telephone (269) 697-5295
Fax (704) 695-5363
kevin.gingerich@boschrexroth-us.com
Godfrey Public Relations
Todd Walter
40 North Christian Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Telephone (717) 393-3831 ext. 133
Fax (717) 393-1403
twalter@godfrey.com
