Setup Reduction Methodology – SMED (金型の単一分交換)

We may think, based in all the information about Lean Manufacturing, that many tools and methods are well understood, unfortunately on real live there is many misunderstanding about them, that’s why I decided to write this article, for one of the most popular and known tool, SMED.

I have to clarify and specify this is one way of how to implement this tool, this not perfect obviously, but should give you an idea of how start the deployment for Setup Reduction.

Definition of Quick Set Up / Changeover

The absolute minimum amount of time needed to changeover from one activity to another, to minimize the amount of time the equipment remains idle, thereby responding faster to customer needs.

 

Many key ideas developed by Dr Shigeo Shingo, he called it SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) Means single digit (1-9 min), i.e. Less than 10 minutes

Example:  1000-ton press ,( Before: 4 hr -  After: 3 min)

Improvement: 98.7%, or a factor of 80        

Changeover time is the total elapsed time between the last unit of good production of the previous run, at normal line efficiency, to the first unit of good production of the succeeding run, at full line efficiency.

 

Why do Quick Setup / Changeover?

·         Improve Flexibility:  Changes in customer demands are easy to accommodate without excess inventory

·         Improve Quality:  Quicker feedback from customer/customer process, reduced process variability

·         Reduce Lead Time:  Shrink the time it takes to get product to the customer

·         Increase Capacity:  Improved Operational Availability

·         Reduce Inventory: Dramatic cost improvements

·         Improve Safety:  Simpler setups = safer setups

·         Support Pull System Implementation:  Quicker setup/changeovers facilitate small lot production, small lot production facilitates pull systems

SMED is Continuous Improvement

It is a customer driven requirement. Customers demand:

·         Product and service diversity

·         Lower costs

·         Higher reliability and quality

In essence organizations need to become leaner!

So organizations must:

·         Produce smaller lots, more frequently

·         Expand the scope and diversity of products and services

·         Reduce quality defects

How long does it take to change a tire on your car:

·         Hard

 

·         Easy

 

Changing a tire in our car is a chore that will take anywhere from minutes to hours , as we see on first video.

 

Why is it that in the car races they can change the four tires in just a few seconds as showed on second video?

Here are some of the differences:

·         They were prepared

·         Right tools

·         Only one bolt per tire

·         Continuous training

·         Cumulative experience, on and on...

 

The Quick Changeover Methodology for Setup Reduction

Step 1 - Identify Internal & External Steps

Definition

What is an Internal Step?

An internal step is one that must be performed while the machine or operation is stopped; and therefore is a form of lost time. 

What is an External Step?

An external step is one that can be performed while the operation is running. 

Purpose for Separating Internal and External

 

The primary focus of setup reduction is not on total setup time (internal + external) nor on setup labor time, but on internal time alone.  While reducing total setup time and setup labor time is desirable, it is only of secondary importance.

Record the process (use a Simple Time Recording Sheet, Standard Work Combination Sheet or SOE)

·         Form a team

·         Interview operators

·         Videotape

·         Stopwatch analysis

 

Step 2 - Convert Internal Steps to External

Objective

·         To reduce internal setup time. The more setup steps, decisions, adjustments, etc. that can be done on external time, the better.

·         Wherever possible, setup steps performed while the operation is stopped (internal) need to be completed while the operation is running (external).

 Through the elements recorded in Step 1 (Identify Internal & External Steps)

Identify all internal steps, eliminate all unnecessary steps

Analyze all essential internal steps to determine if opportunity exists to convert internal steps to external steps:

·         Can adjustment blocks be used in lieu of making machine adjustments?

·         Can dies be preheated independent of the equipment operation?

·         Can procedures/techniques be developed to insure that all tools, equipment, and materials are staged in the immediate work area before the machine is idled?

·         Is all post setup work (tooling service, cleaning, data tracking, etc.) being done after the equipment resumes operation?

Example

 

Other examples:

·         Standardize common temperature profile for curing

·         Standardize common screw torque setting

·         Additional SMT feeder, preload component & QA check

·         Off line software loading

·         Pre heating of die set

Step 3 - Reduce Internal Setup Time

Objective

To reduce internal setup time: The internal setup steps and decisions need to be simple and precise while adjustments got to be reduced and eliminated.

Analyze the remaining internal setup tasks to reduce/eliminate adjustments:

·         Can adjustment blocks or preset gauges be used?

·         Can tooling presets be used?

·         Is equipment, fixtures,
and tooling clean and
serviceable?

·         Can locating/centering
techniques be employed?

Example

 

·         Accomplish setup tasks in parallel where possible (Can additional resources be utilized to support the setup/changeover?)

·         Use universal tooling/fixtures where possible

·         Use quick disconnect fittings for air, power, water and vacuum (no hard pipe) where possible

·         Eliminate model specific conveyors and other material handling devices where possible.

Example

 

Step 4 - Reduce External Setup Time

Objective

·         Since the maximum external setup time must be less than the time to run a production lot, reducing external setup time typically is less critical than reducing internal setup time. 

·         Although external setup time generally is not the constraint to the setup procedure, tools/techniques should be applied to optimize and standardize external setup time… think of resources and cost.

 Store fixtures, dies, tools, raw materials and documentation as close as possible to the point of use:

·         Arranged in sequence of use

·         Shadow boards used

·         Addressed and labeled

·         Color coded

Use setup kits and/or carts

·         May include fasteners, jig, fixtures, tools, etc.

·         May be integrated as part of the equipment

·         May also be utilized for raw materials

Improve Material Handling

·         Provide adequate access for fork trucks / carts

·         Provide visual means (Andon) of notifying material handlers of impending changeover

·         Eliminate/minimize the need for mechanized material movement

Examples

 

Summary

·         Reduce external setup time.

·         Improve workplace organization.

·         Establish setup kits and carts.

·         Optimize material handling.

Step 5 - Repeat Steps

·         Standardize/Document:  Each step of the setup/changeover must be standardized and documented through the use of  written procedures and/or checklists.  This is not only necessary to sustain the improvements, but is necessary for future improvement activities.

·         Train:  Everyone involved in the setup/changeovers must be fully trained.  Often the gains made in setup/changeover improvement activities are lost the first time that personnel assignments are changed.  Appropriate procedural documentation and training is the only way to insure that gains are not lost.

·         Measure/Follow-up:  Setups/changeovers must become a measured part of operations.  Performance must be monitored and investigation accomplished when performance deteriorates.

 

Additional Options to Consider

This method is focused on the reduction in setup/changeover duration.  However, there are several ways to eliminate the need for setups/changeovers that should be considered:

·         Eliminate part proliferation through design.

·         Make multiple part numbers and / or parts in one step (i.e.:  right hand and left hand).

·         Design tooling / process to facilitate different parts without changeover.

 I hope this information helps you in your next Kaizen Event.