Controlled Environmental Area Room B Relayout for Acuity X4 Subassemblies Manufacturing Line Transfer
Abstract
Boston Scientific is part of a competitive environment and strives to find methods to reduce cost, waste and improve quality. A methodology for reduction is Lean manufacturing. This methodology is used to reduce “muda” which eliminates waste in a production process and is known as Japanese term in the Toyota Production System. The layout of the manufacturing plays a big role on the maximization of the space resource. This article discusses the optimization of the manufacturing space by using the Lean Manufacturing methodology and the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) tool as a systematic approach. To optimize space layout of the selected manufacturing lines, equipment and workstations tables were consolidated, eliminated, or reduced. The results revealed that 2,080 ft2 were able to be cleared for new products.
Key Terms ⎯ DMAIC, Lean Manufacturing, Space Optimization, Wastes (“Muda).