Kaizen and Kaizen Blitz


.


6 important steps can be defined in the Lean Manufacturing Process.
  • understand customer value: the value of a product is defined solely by the customer
  • map the value stream: describes the flow of material and information through the production system
  • implement flow: linking of manual and machine operations
  • let customers pull: customer demand drives the manufacturing process
  • implement lean manufacturing tools: 5S, visual management, SMED, standardized work, TPM etc.
  • improve continuously
In this article, we will talk about the 6th step: continuous improvement or Kaizen.
Kaizen is composed of 2 Japanese words: "Kai", which means "To Change", and "Zen", which means "Make Better".
There are 2 versions of KaizenContinuous Improvement, and Kaizen Blitz (or Event).
1. Kaizen continuous improvement continuously makes small improvements in processes, and focuses on the overall value stream.
The underlying philosophy is that there is always room for improvement, and a culture of continuously becoming better is created.
Kaizen Continuous Improvements are carried out by multifunctional teams.
Value Stream, Current State and Future State Maps are used as roadmaps.
The main benefits are:
  • overall value stream improvement
  • improved communication
  • mutual respect
  • shared responsibility

2. A Kaizen Blitz (or event) focuses on individual processes, and tries to improve them in a short fixed time frame, typically 4 to 5 days.
During this time, a cross-functioning group of managers and employees work together as a result-oriented team.
This is a typical Kaizen Blitz agenda:
  • day 1: training (lean concepts, Kaizen, improvement tools)
  • day 2: observing the process, brainstorming, data gathering
  • day 3: solution development, start implementation
  • day 4: implementation and standardization
  • day 5: assessment of obtained results
The specific Kaizen Blitz benefits are:
  • immediate results
  • other improvement opportunities are discovered

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1027798

The CrazyFlie Micro Quadcopter Goes on Sale!


.



Back in 2011, I wrote a post on a micro quadcopter called CrazyFlie. Surprisingly, it has gained a ton of traffic. Aside from that, the CrazyFlie is now available for pre-order. Costing at around $150, you can get the kit that includes al the parts for the 6-DOF robot and it's wireless USB adapter. If you're interested in purchasing this robot, then click the here!

Would you kill a robot?


.





Would you kill (turn off) a robot even if it pleaded you not to? Back in 2011, an experiment was held to see how people would react to a robot begging not to be turned off. Overtime, the person volunteering would unplug the robot's wires, and one by one, the robot would beg more and start to turn off slowly. Finally, this resulted in a dead robot and a saddened human volunteer. Although, the robot pleaded and begged not to be turned off, the humans still turned it off. Some people, however, had trouble killing the robot. As for others, it wasn't that hard. The point is that even though robots aren't human, people still interact with them in a certain way. Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see the experiment video!



Source: the video listed above

The SimpleBotics logo, Simplified


.

If you thought the logo was already as simple as it gets, then guess again. With a little more gradient and special effects, I was able to create a better logo. The result is the photo above. Comment below to rate the newest logo. Do you like it or not?

New Blackjack Robot is Capable of Dealing Cards


.



How awesome would it be if you could play blackjack with a robotic card dealer? Well, now you can! While being completely autonomous, this robotic arm is able to pick up, scan, and deal cards. All though it can deal cards, it does take a few minutes. However, this robot is not even at it's full speed capacity. Maybe later on this robot's real potential willI be utilized. If you're interested in seeing this robot deal cards then check out the video above. Other than that, thanks for reading and follow us on Twitter to stay updated!



Source: the video above

Two New Madera Plants Will Bring 150 Jobs


.


The following is an article is from the Fresno Bee about when Nemat, Inc. was first breaking ground in Madera...

Two new manufacturing plants being built in Madera are expected to bring up to 150 new jobs once they open next year.

Last week, officials with Fremont-based Nemat Management Group broke ground on what will be a $2 million, 40,000-square-foot plant that will use computer-controlled machining tools to make parts for equipment sold around the world and in the central San Joaquin Valley, company owner Mike Nemat said.

And next week, start-up Innovative Rotational Moldings Inc. plans to break ground on a $4.25 million, 33,500-square-foot plant that will produce plastic containers and other custom products, including a new line of electric-powered boats, said company owner Dan Humphries.

Nemat Management Group expects its plant at 19343 Road 24 to be up and running by September in its first phase of manufacturing, with full build-out expected in spring 2009, Nemat said.

"Our goal is to become a domestic, high-quality alternative to off-shoring," said Nemat, who founded his company as a consulting firm in 1994 and expanded into manufacturing for the semiconductor, glass-coating, solar, medical, industrial and agricultural sectors in 2004.

The sole proprietorship had between $4 million and $5 million in revenues this year and could reach $20 million in revenues in the next five years, he said.

Moving to Madera will cut down on the high labor and property costs the company now sees in the Bay Area and will allow it closer access to Central and Southern California markets, he said.

It also will lead to 50 to 75 new jobs paying from $10 to $30 an hour, in a combination of new hires and transfers from Fremont, Nemat said.

Innovative Rotational Moldings is a new company, but Humphries said he has been in the plastic container business since 1979, including starting a Chowchilla company, Central California Container, which he sold in 2001.

His new plant at the corner of Road 25 and Avenue 13 will "start with plastic tanks and products" for the agricultural, industrial and residential markets, he said.

The plant will employ from 15 to 20 people earning $12 to $15 an hour at first, he said.

"As time goes on, we'll put more emphasis on the custom market," he added. "If you can picture a big, hollow part, we can make it out of plastic."

Along with doing custom orders for customers, Humphries plans to start work on a plastic, electric-powered boat that can be used on the more than 1,300 lakes in the state that don't allow combustion engine-powered boats for environmental reasons.

"It's a booming market," he said.

Humphries said he's hoping that his plant will expand to employ up to 75 people within two years.

Follow SimpleBotics on Twitter


.

Hello readers. Today, I am glad to say that you can now follow SimpleBotics on Twitter. By following us, you can stay updated with fresh robotics news everyday. Thank you and visit the link to follow us today!

http://www.twitter.com/simplebotics