Visualization | AllAboutLean.com

Stack Lights—Visual Management Done Easy

Christoph Roser — Tue, 02 May 2023 11:00:29 +0000

Stack lights are found everywhere in industry. And for a good reason. They are a quick and easy way to visualize the status of a machine, which otherwise would need some effort to see. They are—sort of—a mini-andon. While sometimes underappreciated, they do serve a valuable purpose in the factory, and they usually do a ... Read more

The post Stack Lights—Visual Management Done Easy first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

How to See Visual Management

Christoph Roser — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:00:06 +0000

Yet another hot topic in lean manufacturing is visual management. This can be very helpful in running a shop floor, but when done wrong it can also be quite wasteful and embarrassing. In this post I would like to show you the basic principles of visual management with a few examples. There is more to ... Read more

The post How to See Visual Management first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

How to Use an Andon – and How Not To

Christoph Roser — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:00:56 +0000

In my last post, All About Andon, I detailed how the mechanical side of an Andon signaling system works, including Andon cords, buttons, and boards. In the Western world, the mechanical side of an Andon system usually works pretty well. However, in most cases, the usage of the Andon is poor to nonexistent. Hence, in ... Read more

The post How to Use an Andon – and How Not To first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

All About Andon

Christoph Roser — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:00:52 +0000

Andons are systems to alert operators and managers about current problems in manufacturing. The system automates the information flow in case of problems. An Andon system usually consists of the actual Andon, sometimes called an Andon board. Often, additional input and output devices are possible, the most famous being probably the Andon line, a cord ... Read more

The post All About Andon first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

All About Swim Lane Diagrams

Christoph Roser — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 11:00:26 +0000

In my previous posts I described the details of value stream mapping. However, value stream mapping works only for highly linear material and information flows. Unfortunately, many industry processes, especially in administrative or indirect areas, are all but highly linear. To visualize these processes, a new diagram was developed – the swim lane diagram. In ... Read more

The post All About Swim Lane Diagrams first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

All About Spaghetti Diagrams

Christoph Roser — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:00:31 +0000

A spaghetti diagram is a quick and easy way to track distances of parts and people on the shop floor. The name comes from the result looking like a plate of spaghetti. In this post I will explain the details and give some tips and tricks on how to make a good spaghetti diagram. Why ... Read more

The post All About Spaghetti Diagrams first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

Practical Tips for Value Stream Mapping

Christoph Roser — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:00:47 +0000

After discussing when to do value stream maps, the symbols, and the basics of value stream mapping, I want to give some more practical tips for value stream mapping. What tools should you use? Do you use a computer (yuck) or a pen and paper (yup)? I’ll also summarize some generally helpful hints in drawing ... Read more

The post Practical Tips for Value Stream Mapping first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.

Basics of Value Stream Maps

Christoph Roser — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:00:46 +0000

Knowing the symbols for value stream mapping is only a first step. This is like the difference between knowing the alphabet and writing good stories. There are much more things to consider for generating a good value stream. In this post I will go through the basics of drawing value stream maps. I found it ... Read more

The post Basics of Value Stream Maps first appeared on AllAboutLean.com.