An application of Value Stream Mapping to reduce lead time and WIP in a make-to-order manufacturing line

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2010. === Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. === Includes bibliographical references (p. 57). === Significant growth in the sales is expected in the coming years for the product family that is the focus of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wongso, Ricolas
Other Authors: Stephen C. Graves.
Format: Others
Language:English
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/62507
Description
Summary:Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2010. === Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. === Includes bibliographical references (p. 57). === Significant growth in the sales is expected in the coming years for the product family that is the focus of this research. In order to meet the takt time for the future demand, improvement on the current processes and expansion are needed. In this work, Value Stream Mapping was implemented to identify the bottleneck processes: fit up (oval), full welding, and pressure testing. Assembly cell concept, workload balancing and FIFO lanes were proposed countermeasures or improvements to address the capacity shortfall. A decrease of 27% in manufacturing lead time was projected if these improvements were made. In addition, the capacity analysis suggests that an expansion is required in full welding and heat treatment furnace. === by Ricolas Wongso. === M.Eng.