SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Dies) – revolutionising production lines across the manufacturing space

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July 18th, 2024

How SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Dies) revolutionises manufacturing setup times

Imagine cutting your setup times from hours to minutes, boosting productivity, and significantly reducing costs. In the dynamic manufacturing world, efficiency and flexibility are key to maintaining a competitive edge.

SMED is a game-changing methodology revolutionising production lines across the manufacturing space

For heads of production and senior management tasked with operational improvement, mastering SMED is not just an opportunity; it’s a strategic necessity.

Let’s explore how SMED works, its application in reducing setup times, and the profound benefits it offers to manufacturing companies.

SMED: the basics

SMED is a Lean manufacturing technique that aims to reduce the time it takes to ‘change over’ a machine or production line from one task to another.

The goal is to accomplish this within a single-digit number of minutes, hence the term “Single-Minute.”

The process involves several steps:

SMED:  benefits for manufacturing companies

For manufacturing companies, the adoption of SMED offers many advantages:

The implementation of SMED can drastically cut setup times from hours to minutes

Here’s how:

1. Preparation and Organisation: By preparing all necessary tools, parts, and instructions in advance (external setup), the actual downtime of the equipment (internal setup) is minimised. This organisational efficiency ensures a smooth and rapid transition between tasks.
2. Standardisation: Standardising procedures means that every setup follows the same streamlined process, reducing variability and potential errors.
3. Tool and Equipment Innovations: Utilising quick-change tooling and fixtures specifically designed for fast setups can significantly reduce the physical time needed to switch tasks.

Conclusion

SMED is more than just a technique for reducing setup times; it’s a strategic advantage for manufacturing companies aiming to stay competitive. By enabling rapid transitions between production tasks, SMED boosts productivity and flexibility and drives cost savings and quality improvements. For heads of production and senior management, mastering SMED can transform setup times from a bottleneck into a competitive strength.

Are you ready to revolutionise your production line?

To learn more about SMED and how to take your manufacturing efficiency to the next level speak to one of our operational improvement experts at 01926 633333, or email info@bourton.co.uk.

Helping to make your business better.

 

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