Applying Lean Manufacturing to Minimize Inspection Time in a Medical Device Company

Abstract

Abstract - This research is conducted in medical devices manufacturing company that makes a product to be used on the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence resulting from urethral hyper mobility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency. The product consist of a family of products which and the device is commonly referred to as tension free, pub urethral sling. This research is the result of the initiatives of the Continues Improvement Department. It was identified waste time caused by off-line quality inspections in the product-assembly process and it is intended to reduce the waiting time in the manufacturing of the product. Lean Manufacturing tools were used in this project. The main objectives of this research were to reduce waiting time at least 20% and improve efficiency at least 10%. Some tools used to obtain the results were: balancing the production line, evaluating the line layout, implementing 5S to the sub assembly station. Key Terms - Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Inspections, Waste time.