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Topic 16: Keeping it lean and mean

Siemens Education

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Keeping it lean and mean

Overall learning objectives:

• Explore the characteristics of a production system and how to make it more

efficient

• Understand the principles of “Lean” and “Just in Time” production principles

• Apply their understanding to a context

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Keeping it lean and mean

What needs to happen in a typical domestic kitchen?

Function: Food preparation

Function: Cooking

Function: Cleaning & Washing

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Keeping it lean and mean

How would you set out a kitchen to group functions in the same area?• Cooker

• Fridge

• Dishwasher

• Food waste and composting bin

• Knife block

• Cooking utensil drawer

• Cupboard for ingredients

• Sink and draining board

• Work surface with chopping board

• Crocker storage cupboard

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Keeping it lean and mean

Cooker Fridge DishwasherStorage for knives and

cooking utensils

Cupboard for

ingredients

Sink and draining

board

Work surface with

chopping board

Crockery storage

Floor plan of kitchen: option A

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Keeping it lean and mean

Cooker Cupboard for ingredients

Dishwasher Crockery storage

Storage for knives and

cooking utensils

Sink and draining

board

Work surface with

chopping board

FridgeFloor plan of kitchen: option B

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Keeping it lean and mean

Cooker Cupboard for ingredients

Dishwasher

Crockery storage

Storage for knives and

cooking utensils

Sink and draining

board

Work surface with

chopping board

Fridge

Floor plan of kitchen: option C

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Keeping it lean and mean

Promotional torch

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Keeping it lean and mean

Assembling torches

Processes in the assembly sequence (in no particular order):• Inserting batteries• Screwing battery cover on• Inserting bulb• Screwing bulb cover on• Putting adhesive label on the side

Now devise:• Three assembly sequences that would work• Three assembly sequences that wouldn’t work• From the three that would work, why one might be slightly better than the

others

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Keeping it lean and mean

Three organisational models

1. Each student has a supply of all the components and assembles complete

torches

2. Students are arranged in a row and each undertakes one stage in the

assembly process, e.g. the first might put the batteries in the body, then

passes it to the second, who screws the battery lid on, etc

3. Students are arranged in small teams, each of whom perform a sub-

assembly. The part assembled torches are then stored temporarily before

going on to the next sub-assembly. For example, the first sub-assembly

might be the batteries going in and the lid being screwed on. The part

assembled torches then await the next sub-assembly, such as the label being

applied

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Keeping it lean and mean

Lean manufacturing

• Lean manufacturing is an approach to the management of production which

uses the concept of “added value” for the customer to be the prime

determinant for assessing the use of resources.

• In other words, every stage and every use of time, skill or materials should be

assessed in terms of whether it makes the product more valuable to the

customer.

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Keeping it lean and mean

Just in Time production

• The “Just in Time” (JIT) approach to production aims to reduce the stock of

components held by a manufacturer. The aim is to have the material needed

arrive at the right time in the right place

• This eliminates holding stocks that have been bought in, in advance, and need

storage.