Feasibility Study of Proposed Manufacturing Layout Re-design to Improve Process Capacity and Reduce Cycle Time of a Downstream Operation of Product A

Abstract

Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies are widely used in today’s work environments. The use of a Lean Six Sigma approach provides organizations more flexibility and efficiency to improve their competitiveness. At the present time, with the high market changes environment, is crucial for industries to improve their processes to fulfill their customers’ needs. One key area for Manufacturing Operations is their production layout design. This article will discuss the use of DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, & Verify) methodology to complete, and evaluate a feasibility study of a manufacturing layout re-design proposal. The project concluded that the proposed manufacturing layout re-design will represent a reduction of approximately 29-36% of the current process cycle time and represent a potential increase in production capacity of approximately 15-25%. These benefits identified during the feasibility study activities can lead to improve the company’s competitiveness and obtain financial benefits. Key Terms ⎯ Cycle time, DMADV, Lean, Process Capacity.