SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die)
This article covers meaning & overview of SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) from operations perspective.
What is SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die)?
In a lean manufacturing method companies often try to reduce wastages in the system to make it more efficient and productive. Among all SMED is one of the powerful lean methods which are used to reduce wastages in the form of time.
SMED (Single minute exchange of die) is referred to as the setup time required for changeover of machine and this time can be counted by single digit. Single minute doesn’t mean the changeover should complete in 1 minute only but should complete within 10 minutes. Thus it is sometime referred to as quick changeover. It tries to reduce the time required by machine or setup to facilitate change in product or process.
SMED Levels of Implementation
Level 1: It ensures that all external setups are performed when machine is still running and before it stops.
Level 2: Perform separate internal & external setup action and ensure that the each part functions. Also implement efficient ways to transport die and other parts required.
Level 3: Convert internal setup actions to externals actions.
Level 4: Continue improving all setup all setup actions.
Effects of SMED
- Increased productivity, thus improving production
- Decrease in wastages during changeover
- Increase machine utilization rate
- Lower cost of setup
- Reduction in errors during setup as every step is designed into the process which reduces human error, etc.
Hence, this concludes the definition of SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) along with its overview.
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