SETUP TIME REDUCTION FOR CNC HOBBING MACHINE IMPLEMENTING SMED AND DESIGN OF "SPLIT FIXTURE"

Setup reduction is a process through which the total time required to changeover or set-up equipment or a work center is dramatically reduced through a systematic, problem-solving, waste-eliminating approach. It is an important tool in lean production to realize quick setup change and meet the demands of individualized customers. The setup time reduction for CNC hobbing machine has been done by implementing SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) technique, optimal crane operation and by incorporating the design of “Split fixture”. The execution of this project has successfully managed to reduce 02:28:30 of setup time per day of the CNC hobbing machine and further has the reduction potential of reducing 00:55:15 of the setup time per day by incorporating the “Split fixture”.