The principles of lean manufacturing such as 5S and kaizen are used to organize, improve and streamline our facilities and processes, but have you thought about applying lean techniques to the tools you use for implementing lean?

One of the most basic, must-have lean tools is a labeling system.

5S is about cleaning up and organizing. Labels and signs are an important part of 5S. Signs identify work areas. Labels provide machine and equipment operating and maintenance instructions. Storage areas are identified. Tools are marked and color coded. Labels and signs are a major part of implementing and sustaining (the fifth "s") a 5S system.

[A 5S cart created by a DuraLabel PRO user is shown to the right. It has the DuraLabel PRO, a computer, power supply and all the supplies needed for making 5S labels and signs.]

Kanban is about just-in-time delivery. In kanban labels and signs might be the actual kanban. They are used to identify work-in-progress, storage areas and work flow paths. Labels and signs identify work areas, labels identify machines and equipment, and help reduce training time and costs. The are used to create Kanban boards and identify areas used for "look-see" kanban". Kanban is a visual management system and the visual communication provided by labels and signs is an important part of kanban.

Kaizen is about change, and when there is change communication is critical. Kaizen involves using employee suggestions to drive continuous improvement throughout an organization. Visual communication is an important part of this process. Labels and signs are used to inform employees about changes. Labels applied to equipment provide information about changed procedures, maintenance schedules, shift-change processes, and equipment start-up requirements. Signs identify new or changed safety hazards. They are also used to encourage participation in the kaizen process and give recognition to those who have submitted suggestions.

[A kaizen cart created by a DuraLabel 4TTP user is shown to the right.]

We are finding the more and more of our DuraLabel PRO label and sign printer users are creating a cart that organizes the visual communication tools they need to support 5S, kaizen or kanban. The cart allows them to easily bring their DuraLabel PRO printer, a computer, and all the supplies they need to any location in their facility. It keeps everything organized (that's 5s) and allows to labels and signs to be quickly made and installed (that's kaizen). By applying lean manufacturing techniques to visual communication the result is an efficient, convenient and easy system for creating and maintaining labels and signs.

Learn more about the DuraLabel PRO printer and DuraLabel supplies.

Labels: Lean Manufacturing

posted by Steve Hudgik - 2:03:00 PM - - Permanent Link to This Article

---