1st Edition

Removing the Barriers to Efficient Manufacturing Real-World Applications of Lean Productivity

By Daniel L. Ferguson Copyright 2013
    294 Pages 51 B/W Illustrations
    by Productivity Press

    294 Pages
    by Productivity Press

    W. Edwards Deming’s central premise was that improvements in product quality would increase productivity, improve competitive position, and help ensure long-term survival. Point 12 of his landmark 14 Points for Management says that management’s job is to remove the barriers that keep people from taking pride in their work. That’s exactly what this book is about.

    Shedding new light on Deming’s 14 Points, Removing the Barriers to Efficient Manufacturing: Real-World Applications of Lean Productivity outlines time-tested organizational structures and methods to help you reduce variability and deliver high-quality products consistently. It describes the financial losses that can occur as a result of variability and details the specific activities management must engage in to avoid these losses and ensure long-term success.

    Instead of taking you on a "random walk," the book supplies each manufacturing group in your organization with straightforward directions for creating a smooth-running facility with reduced variability. It includes "work assignments" in each chapter that, if completed in the order presented, will guide you through the creation of the Model Vision for your manufacturing facility. It also:

    • Covers key topics on working with people, including training and retraining
    • Supplies pointers for working with unions
    • Considers Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED)
    • Describes how to put it all together with action plans

    The book includes a write up on Deming’s famous Red Bead Experiment as well as an introduction to statistical process control techniques in the appendices. Filled with real-world examples and a case study to illustrate essential concepts, the book arms you with the insight and common-sense approaches required to build on Deming’s fundamental principles and consistently deliver high-quality products that instill a sense of pride in your workforce.

    Deming Got it Right
    Introduction
    Point 1: Management Must Have "Constancy of Purpose" to Stay in Business
    Point 2: Adopt the New Philosophy
    Point 3: Cease Dependence on Mass Inspection
    Point 4: Stop Doing Business with the Low Bidder
    Point 5: Find Problems
    Point 6: Institute Modern Training Methods
    Point 7: Institute Modern Methods of Supervision
    Point 8: Drive Out Fear
    Point 9: Break Down Barriers between Departments
    Point 10: Eliminate Goals, Posters, and Slogans Directed at Workers to Do More
    Point 11: Eliminate Numerical Quotas
    Point 12: Remove the Barriers that Keep People from Taking Pride in Their Work
    Point 13: Institute Vigorous Education and Retraining
    Point 14: Top Management Must "Push" (Measure and Report)
    Every Day on the Above 13 Points
    The Vision
    Reducing Variability Is the Key

    Removing Barriers in the Workplace
    Introduction
    Order and Cleanliness
    Getting Started
    Ergonomics Are Economical
    Employee Facilities Show You Care (or Not)
    Making Safety Equal to Everything Else
    Establishing Minimum Standards
    Other Safety Requirements
    Summary

    Removing the Equipment Reliability Barrier with Effective Maintenance
    Introduction
    Preventive Maintenance
    Predictive Maintenance
         Vibration Analysis
         Dynamic Balancing
         Laser Alignment
         Ultrasonic Leak Detection
         Infrared Imaging
         Motor Analysis
         Oil Analysis
         PdM Summary
    Total Productive Maintenance
    The Maintenance Process
         Work Orders
         Maintenance Planning
         Work Order Scheduling and Priorities
         Work Order Completion: Getting the Feedback
         Maintenance History
         Spare Parts Management: Keeping Parts Visible
    Stores Inventory Benchmarks
    Computerized Maintenance Management System
    The Human Factor
    Maintenance Performance Benchmarks
    Putting It All Together

    Removing the Process Variability Barrier with Automatic Control Systems
    Introduction
    Getting Started
    A Few Real-Life Examples
    Conclusion

    Removing the Product Variability Barrier with Statistical Process Controls
    Introduction
    Sampled Data versus Continuous Monitoring
    The Tools
    Prework
    Getting Started
    A Word of Caution about Sampling
    SPC Tool 1: X-Bar and R Charts
    SPC Tool 2: Histogram
    SPC Tool 3: Pareto Diagram
    SPC Tool 4: Control Charts
    SPC Tool 5: Fishbone Diagrams
    SPC Tool 6: Flow Chart
    The X-Bar and Sigma Charting Marches On
    Advanced SPC Tools for Digging Deeper
         SPC Tool 7: Process Capability Study
         SPC Tool 8: Designed Experiments
         SPC Tool 9: Scatter Diagram
    Summary

    Removing the Raw Material Quality Barrier
    Introduction

    SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die)
    Introduction
    The Vision
    Getting Started
    Step 1: Render the Process Safe
    Step 2: Clean the Process
    Step 3: Change Machine Settings
    Step 4: Changing Components
    Step 5: Changing Out Raw Materials and Supplies
    Step 6: Additional Sampling
    Step 7: Final Adjustments and Centerlining
    The SMED Process
    Back to the Vision
    Summary

    The Process Control Manual
    Introduction
    Products Produced
    Product Specifications
    Process Description
    Process Diagrams
    Raw Materials Used
    Authorized Operating Supplies
    Detailed Operating Procedures
    SMED Procedures
    Process Reading Sheet
    Required Tools
    General Safety Procedures
    Locking and Tagging Procedures
    Housekeeping Checklist
    Statistical Process Control
         Product Sampling
         Product Evaluation
         Control Charting
              Definition of "In Statistical Control"
              Real Purpose of Control Charts
         Back to the Process Control Manual
    Product Attributes
    Summary

    Training and Retraining
    Introduction
    Assessing Basic Skills
    The Training Begins
    Verification of Training
    Retraining
    Annual Recertification
    Summary

    Selected Topics on Working with People
    Introduction
    Topic 1: Driving out Fear
    Topic 2: Promotions (No Good Deed Goes Unpunished)
         The Selection Process
         After the Promotion
    Topic 3: Pay Systems
         Pay According to Job Position
         Single Pay Rate
         Motivating Employees with Pay (Not)
    Topic 4: Customer Service
    Topic 6: Uplifting Performance Reviews
    Topic 7: Your Employees Do Not Have to Be Superstars
    Topic 8: Nonpunitive Discipline—The Last Resort
         Coaching Session with Informal Note to File
         Second Coaching Session with Official Note to File
         One Day on Paid Leave for Employee to Develop Action Plan
         When All Else Fails: Termination
         Conclusion
    Closing Comments

    Some Pointers on Working with Unions

    Organizing for Success
    Introduction
    The Interdisciplinary Team Concept
    The Multidisciplinary Team Concept
    The Three Manufacturing Functions
         Function 1: Operations
              Operations Managers
              Operations Crew Leaders
              Operators
    Function 2: Process Engineering
         Process Engineering Manager
         Process Engineers
         Quality Assurance
    Function 3: Reliability
         Reliability Manager
         Reliability Engineers
         Reliability Crew Leader
         Reliability Technicians
    How the Three Functions Work Together
    Performance Reviews by Customers
    We Still Need a Team

    Putting It All Together with Action Plans
    Introduction
    Action Plans by Position
         Plant Manager
         Operations Manager
         Operations Crew Leader
         Process Operator
         Process Engineering Manager
         Process Engineer
         Quality Technicians
         Reliability Manager
         Reliability Engineer
         Reliability Crew Leader
         Reliability Planner
         Reliability Technician
    Summary
    Final Comments

    A Case Study

    Appendix 1: The Red Bead Experiment
    Introduction
    The Experiment
    Clear Instructions
    Intimidation
    Praise and Comparison
    Banners and Slogans
    Incentives
    Blame
    Performance Appraisals
    Discussion of the Experiment
    Dr. Deming’s Fourteen Points
    Adaptations of the Experiment
    The Fourteen Obligations of Top Management

    Appendix 2: Introduction to Statistical Process Control Techniques

    Index

    Biography

    Daniel L. Ferguson