In my experience in manufacturing and continuous improvement, there are two tools that the engineer needs to lean on heavily. Just two processes they should master and continually practice, because these two tools will make all the difference. It might seem unfair when you consider the whole workbench of Lean and Six Sigma, especially whenContinue reading “Two Critical Tools”
Tag Archives: Engineering
Engineering and Design/Drafting
The creation of CAD blurred a line in the last century. Prior to CAD, engineers would make drawings if they really, absolutely had no choice. The separation of drafter/designer and engineer was important for two big reasons – first, the engineer was responsible for the safety and effectiveness of the end product and needed toContinue reading “Engineering and Design/Drafting”
Killer Kaizen
Folks may not be clear on Kaizen. If you read the original books that came here from Japan trying to explain to the West what ‘magic’ Japan has been using to beat the Big 3 (this was a while ago, so you are forgiven if this doesn’t ring a bell) you will not find instructionsContinue reading “Killer Kaizen”
How to assess RISK
One of the things all engineers should know how to do is to express risk in terms that can be measured. Here’s how to do that. RISK = Severity x Occurrence The common understanding of numerical risk assessment considers severity and occurrence by weighting them (multiplying) against each other. This was established by the militaryContinue reading “How to assess RISK”
1st S – Sort (Seiri)
In any productive workspace there are four types of things – the things used to create your product (inventory), the things needed to convert the inventory into product (tools), the furnishings and tables and shelves to hold the first and second types of things, and everything else. It is the last category, “everything else”, that we are here to discuss.
5th S – Sustain (Shitsuke)
Consistency is a problem. Not just in engineering, but universally – finding ways to do something the same way every time is tricky. Trying to get a group to accomplish this feat is even trickier. It takes weeks of practice to get a marching band to look – and sound – as polished as theyContinue reading “5th S – Sustain (Shitsuke)”
Important tools – 5S
Where did 5S come from? What is the purpose? Why is this not taught in college? It’s fun researching the roots of 5S. Some websites suggest the core fundamentals are traced back to Italy in the 1500’s. That aside, the structured practice of the five elements – Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke – reportedly cameContinue reading “Important tools – 5S”
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