Jerry Collins – a mechanical engineer with 28 years of experience in the automotive industry – uses the pre-production stage as the critical first step to managing future production costs. It’s during this pre-production stage that Jerry uses modular piping systems as a way to layout his production floor and design material handling systems. This … Continued
The term Karakuri -or Karakuri Kaizen- is derived from the Japanese word meaning machinery or mechanical device used to assist a process with limited (or no) automated resources. Its origins come from the mechanical dolls in Japan that essentially helped lay the foundations of robotics. Instead of being controlled by software or a computer, … Continued
Circular manufacturing is a system for maximizing system flow and productivity while reducing waste in a manufacturing or logistics site. In this video, Robert Simonis, principal consultant at KCE Consulting, explains how material flow is a key element in circular manufacturing. Implementing Waterspider Waterspider, or mizusumashi, is a term that refers to a specific … Continued
The time has come for many North American manufacturers to get back to work. The situation will obviously not be the same as it was before. Ways of doing things will have to be adjusted. In the coming weeks, plants will be implementing a host of new measures to comply with new government rules, particularly … Continued
Many engineers are making the mistake of using T-slot aluminum extrusions everywhere on their production line. Here’s how to avoid creating overkill, overbuilt, and overpaid structures. This guide will cover the following: What Are the Advantages of Each System? How to Choose a Modular Systems? What Type of Structure do You Want to Build? What … Continued
Here are examples of how medical manufacturers use the pipe and joint system for lean manufacturing. Below are several photos of various workstations: U and L-shaped work cells and one-piece flow assembly line, among others. Do you want to quickly set up a new production line or a temporary one to better adapt … Continued
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes After a particular time, we sometimes get set in our ways of doing things. To a certain extent, familiarity can breed a certain level of efficiency. However, if you’re in a continuous improvement environment, have you considered new ways to speed up the freehand drawing process? Whether you’re using AutoCAD, … Continued
The Flexpipe Crib is a storage structure that requires assembly. The structure will allow you, among other things, to organize your various modular system parts, make the system far more intuitive to use. This equipment may appear to be somewhat costly to the uninitiated. However, by reading below, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of the … Continued