How can technology facilitate a shopfloor to become super?
It makes the system (or the process) independent from human intervention and this prevents the possibilities of human errors. Technology advancements speed up the process and help to provide accurate results.
Digitalisation in terms of visual displays and tracking boards help provide real time data tracking and management. E-supermarket is a revolution in inventory control system which tracks all the numeric data of the shopfloor with accuracy. Also, CNCs, VMCs and VTLs have transformed the way the parts were machined through lathes.
How does a ‘Super Shopfloor' balance between quality and productivity?
A Super Shopfloor ensures effective utilisation of resources and ensures high output with optimum input. A clean and visual shopfloor increases productivity by enabling all focus on the value added work with accuracy and assists in achieving ‘first time right' in every process. It highlights the real time data which attracts focus of people on the factors affecting productivity and quality.
A super shopfloor contains machines with good condition, lower inventory levels, has no scrap of wastage lying on floor and facilitates effective material and information flow. It increases awareness and alertness of people which gives outstanding results.
Is a ‘Super Shopfloor' Green?
A Super shopfloor is free from dust, dirt and fumes that badly affect the working environment. It creates a system or process where the use of plastic and paper gets minimised by using E-devices.
For e.g. internal approval system which is conducted manually by the use papers could be easily transformed by making the use of E-devices which are accessible to all and can be operated remotely. Now-a-days exhaust disposal systems (like ducting, scrubbers) are used for removing the harmful fumes generated inside the plant.
By making use of non-conventional energy resources such as solar energy in terms of light and heat that can be used during daytime by designing the shopfloor in such a manner that enables natural light inflow during the day time. Solar cells, which store energy, can lighten up the shopfloor in the night time without making the use of electricity.
How innovative is a ‘Super Shopfloor'?
It gives impetus to the activity called continuous improvement in all the systems and processes that drives the company. Not only it creates such an atmosphere where competency of the workforce keeps on enhancing over a period of time, but also leads to creation of new innovative ideas for transforming the current state of the shopfloor into a most effective and efficient manufacturing set-up.
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