Rapid changeover - a pre-requisite for responsive manufacture

The ability to effect rapid changeover on a manufacturing line, from one product to another, is a key pre-requisite for increased flexibility, lead time reduction and responsive manufacture. However it is a rarity for changeover times to be part of the design specification of a new machine tool or t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of operations & production management 1999-08, Vol.19 (8), p.785-796
Main Authors: Mileham, A.R., Culley, S.J., Owen, G.W., McIntosh, R.I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Cost control
Design
Manufacturing
OEM
Product development
Product differentiation
Strategic planning
Sustainability
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Summary:The ability to effect rapid changeover on a manufacturing line, from one product to another, is a key pre-requisite for increased flexibility, lead time reduction and responsive manufacture. However it is a rarity for changeover times to be part of the design specification of a new machine tool or tooling system and even when it is, there are few design guidelines for translating the required changeover time into reality. This paper describes a set of "design for changeover" rules that have been derived from action research, carried out within a variety of companies. The rules address the design of machines, tooling, ancillary equipment and the products themselves and their use has been shown, through case studies, to lead to a significant reduction in changeover time and a leaner, more responsive manufacturing environment.
ISSN:0144-3577
1758-6593
DOI:10.1108/01443579910274383