How you get work done in a manufacturing environment plays a critical role in reducing waste, boosting productivity, and driving efficiency. Businesses that adopt lean manufacturing principles can assemble products more economically and get them to market faster. This won’t require employees to work harder; rather, the job gets done more efficiently with fewer resources and less effort. One strategy that supports lean manufacturing principles is the use of mobile workstations.
What Are Lean Manufacturing Principles?
Lean manufacturing principles were first developed by engineers at automaker Toyota to help the company become one of the most efficient manufacturers in the world. A lean approach in manufacturing focuses on eliminating waste, which can be accomplished in several ways:
- Eliminating unnecessary inventory movement — Lean manufacturing principles call for demand-based inventory flow, so you are relying on accurate demand forecasts to inform inventory movements to reduce unnecessary steps.
- Reducing excess inventory — When you hold the proper inventory levels, you free up space in your warehouse and reduce the risk of holding obsolete products. This also improves product visibility and efficiency.
- Reducing wasted employee motion — A lean approach to manufacturing requires that you minimize the time it takes for your employees to accomplish tasks like inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping. If employees are doubling back to accomplish tasks, this is considered wasted motion.
- Eliminating manual processes — Automation can play a vital role in lean manufacturing operations. Using RFID, automated picking systems, and material handling equipment can reduce errors and improve the efficiency of your operations.
- Reducing paper waste—Adopting lean principles in combination with technology not only increases efficiency but can also help you create a paperless operation. Eliminating paper in your plant can achieve substantial savings and reduce errors.
The Advantages of Mobile Workstations
One area of the manufacturing process that is often overlooked for improvement is the equipment used by employees to carry out various functions. One way to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and boost productivity is to get rid of inflexible equipment setups and replace them with mobile workstations. Here are some of the primary benefits of using mobile workstations:
1. Streamlines Operations
Mobile workstations enable workers to have the equipment and tools they need to complete their work right at the point of use. This eliminates the need for time-consuming trips to storage areas or fixed workstations, allowing the business to streamline its operations. Workers can complete tasks more efficiently and reduce costly bottlenecks.
2. Enhances Flexibility
Traditional workstations in factories limit the adaptability and flexibility of manufacturing operations, as workers are forced to go to specific areas to complete their work. In contrast, mobile workstations allow workers to easily move anywhere they are needed and reconfigure their workspace to meet any changing production requirements.
3. Improves Ergonomics
Ergonomics are vital in a factory because they are directly related to worker comfort and well-being as well as safety. Ergonomics refers to configuring the work environment to the employee’s needs instead of forcing employees to fit themselves to the work. Mobile workstations are ergonomically sound because they minimize physical exertion and promote proper posture.
4. Offers Real-Time Communication
In today’s fast-paced environment, access to real-time information has become critical to making the most informed business decisions. Mobile workstations make this possible because they are located where the work is being performed. These workstations are also equipped with integrated technology solutions like cloud-based management systems that can provide real-time data and facilitate faster and more accurate decisions.
5. Boosts Employee Morale
It’s not uncommon for employees to get discouraged if they realize their working environment is inefficient and worse, unsafe. Not one enjoys having to perform repetitive tasks that are unnecessary or suffer injuries because of inefficiencies. A mobile workstation reduces the time employees have to spend walking back and forth on the factory floor. This can improve morale and reduce workplace accident rates.
6. Provides Cost Savings
While manufacturers may be reluctant to invest in mobile workstations, the benefits of these solutions far outweigh the costs. By increasing productivity, reducing downtime, and improving efficiency, mobile workstations deliver real cost savings and a fast return on investment. There is also no requirement for a fixed infrastructure, which means this solution is incredibly scalable and ready to help businesses adapt to changing market conditions.
How Mobile Workstations Support Lean Manufacturing Principles
Mobile workstations essentially enable workers to bring the equipment and tools they need directly to the point of use, eliminating wasted employee motion and many manual processes. Combined with other technology solutions like RFID tags and scanners or automation tools, they can also reduce or eliminate the use of paper. Workers can complete tasks more efficiently and quickly, leading to increased productivity on the factory floor. Even more important, they provide workers with the flexibility they need to reduce waste.
Mobile workstations in manufacturing allow workers to stay organized while taking up less space. All the technology and tools they need to do the job are right at their fingertips. This allows for a standardization of processes and consistency in work, which reduces waste and errors.
Manufacturers can save significant floor space by implementing mobile workstations. Instead of having fixed workstations that may not receive optimal use, workers can use moveable units customized to the work being done. As the work changes and evolves, the workstations can be easily modified to accommodate any new requirements.
Implementing mobile workstations in a manufacturing environment is the essence of lean manufacturing, as it supports many of the principles we listed above.
What do lean manufacturing principles have to do with workstations? Everything when you can implement a strategy that reduces waste and improves overall efficiency. Mobile workstations do just that by allowing the customization of the systems to meet the specific needs of the workers and the manufacturing business.
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Making the Case for Mobile Workstations for Receiving |
