The Use of Lean Manufacturing Techniques – SMED Analysis to Optimization of the Production Process

Lean is a culture of real and continuous optimization. As a concept of continuous optimization in the midst of limited resources, it must be practiced continuously as a long-term organizational norm. This paper revels why changeover time reduction is important in manufacturing industries and from the various tools and techniques available within Lean manufacturing describes mainly SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) for changeover time reduction and its application in Shaft manufacturing industry. This paper also describes principles, benefits, procedures and practical application of SMED. Theoretical bases are verified in a practical part that describes the analysis and design optimization of non-productive time at changeover honing machine in a selected shaft manufacturing company. The output is the structural design of universal palettes and an evaluation of productivity due to optimization of operations of time honing gear shafts. The results achieved show considerable reduction in delay arising out of machine setting time, batch-setting time and demonstration delay.