Features of the Best Conveyor System

conveyor system in a factory

Choosing a conveyor system requires that you have some technical knowledge. Production planner and managers are usually faced with an uphill task when designing and procuring such a material handling system. The right design is therefore arrived at after proper evaluation of the nature of operations and products handled by the system. An informed choice will improve the efficiency of a conveyor system. The following are some of the features to look for when choosing a conveyor system.

Flexibilityproducts-on-conveyor

A good system should have considerable flexibility as far as its material handling properties are concerned. Look for a conveyor system which can handle different product designs and sizes. The other aspect to consider when looking at flexibility is that it should be flexible when expanding to meet production demands in the future.

Scalability

The other feature that a good conveyor system should have is the ability to accommodate the future expansion goals. The idea is going for a system which is scalable to have a conveyor which will facilitate operational changes and growth over time. The conveyor system needs to allow for reconfiguration to allow for operational or future changes.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of the conveyor system you choose should create a safe working environment. This ideally has the effect of making your work environment safe. A good working environment goes a long way in increasing the productivity of the employees. Avoid making textbook decisions when looking at the ergonomics of a conveyor system. You instead should focus on having a design which suits your unique operations.

Maintenance

person-checking-conveyorYou should select a conveyor that is easy to maintain. Besides, you need to look at the cost and availability of the spares. You do not need to worry about the availability of accessories if you are in the packaging industry as they are available. Conveyor accessories need to be readily available. You, therefore, ensure you check this before buying the system.

Reliability

It is wise to choose a conveyor system which has withstood the test of time. The conveyor should be a product of the leading technology. Look for systems which have been in operation for some time and contact users to discuss its reliability and performance. From these findings, it will be easy to know more about the reliability of the conveyor system before purchasing it.

Conclusion

Conveyor systems are essential in the manufacturing industry, and if you take a keen look at these features, then you will get a conveyor system that will suit your needs best.…

Read more →

Understanding The Kaizen Production Philosophy

repair tools

A majority of the production methods usually offer you tools that will help you handle specific projects or tasks in a particular or organized way. Kaizen, a Japanese word that translates to real change or improvement, is a productivity philosophy originating from Japan, which is designed to help you organize anything that you do. To make kaizen simple, it is a continuous improvement process aimed at improving operational efficiencies. It is a philosophy that can be applied anywhere, irrespective of the job being done. Regarding a productivity system, it is a way of thinking that will help you organize anything ranging from the way you work as an individual, to how the entire team works together.

What is Kaizen?Process

Directly translated, kaizen means constant and continuous improvement. It is a philosophy which came about after World War II, when some Japanese businesses decided to change how they had always been doing things, especially with the availability of better options. Inspired by the manufacturing methods and western competitors, Kaizen became known for his efforts to improve and intelligently streamline the manufacturing methods and practices of businesses, while at the same time respecting the product and people involved in making the product. The Kaizen production principle can be broken into the following six steps.

The Kaizen Process

1. Standardize

This entails coming up with a process to handle a specific activity. The process should be organized and repeatable as many times as required.

2. Measure

Once the process is in place, you have to examine and determine its efficiency. You should use data that can be quantified such as time taken to complete.

3. Compare

Once you have all the measurements that you need, compare them against your requirements. The comparison should help you determine whether the process saves time or takes more time than desired. Check whether the results accomplished are desirable.

4. Innovate

With a particular result in mind, look for new and better ways, through which you can do the same work and achieve the desired result. Find smarter and more efficient ways of getting to the same goal, to improve productivity.

5. Standardize

Once you have the new and activities that are more efficient, create processes that are repeatable and defined for them. The processes will be the new standards of achieving the set goals.

6. Repeat

After completion, you are expected to go back to the first step and start again. Ideally, this is an iterative process that never ends.…

Read more →