Takt Time
Takt Time is a lean manufacturing tool used by companies to measure the rate at which a single product needs to be completed to meet customer demand. Or in more simple terms, Takt Time is the required production rate to keep up with demand. Keeping track of Takt Time enables companies to accurately gauge how fast their production schedule needs to be while enabling them to optimize their productions and keep less inventory.
Industry 5.0
What is Industry 5.0? Industry 5.0 is the next industrial revolution where people and machines harmoniously work together. By leveraging Industry 4.0 technology like Big Data and IoT, Industry 5.0 aims to help humans work faster and smarter. The previous revolution, Industry 4.0, is still bringing new and innovative ways to connect machines, capture data, […]
Industry 4.0
“Industry 4.0” is a nickname for our current age of digital technology in industrial manufacturing. Characterized by a collaboration of human and autonomous labor, the fourth industrial revolution grew from beyond early computer capability, fully distinguishing itself as a new wave of manufacturing beginning around the early 2000s. It is built upon cloud computing, smart […]
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Industrial Internet of Things! Explore the difference between the IoT and the IIoT, how the IIoT actually works, the specific impact of the manufacturing sector, and then implementations, challenges, and forecasts for the Industrial Internet of Things at large. What is the Industrial Internet of Things? When the […]
ISO 9000 Standards
What are the ISO 9000 Standards? The ISO 9000 standards are a group of voluntary Quality Management Systems (QMS) created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standards are created and maintained by professionals from all over the world dedicated to creating efficient and continuously improving quality standards for manufacturing and other organizations. ISO […]
Guidebooks (Work Instructions)
What is a Guidebook? The definition of a guidebook can be hard to pin down for multiple reasons. Is it a work instruction….yes. Is it a standardized process….yes. Is it a training document…yes. Is it preventative maintenance….yes. Is it an advanced system that engages workers while gathering data and connecting to other systems and tools… […]
Flexible Manufacturing System
What is a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)? A flexible manufacturing system is a methodology that enables companies to be flexible in the face of changes like market demand, manufacturing challenges, or opportunities for innovation. Whether these changes are predictable or not, FMS companies quickly shift their production to meet the needs of their business and […]
Downtime
What is Downtime? Downtime is defined as any period where production has stopped. The production is still costing money but no revenue is being generated. Within manufacturing, there are numerous causes of downtime such as machine breakdowns, workforce shortages, worker injuries, resource shortages, poor scheduling, and even planned downtime. Some instances of downtime can be […]
Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA)
A Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis is an investigative summary of the potential risks during production that are identified in the design stage. From a history in aerospace engineering, FMEA applications now stretch from industries like software and manufacturing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Allows engineers to assess risk factors before resources spent Data is filed on a […]
Cycle Time
What is Cycle Time? Cycle Time is defined as the time it takes to produce one item within the manufacturing environment. It includes any stalls or pauses that may occur intentionally or unintentionally during production. Knowing how long it takes to produce items enables companies to manage their resources in an intelligent and efficient way. […]