-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueCertifications
Certifications have historically been seen as a cost of doing business, but how do we turn them into a positive ROI and a value to both customer and vendor?
The Butterfly Effect
The basis of chaos theory is a key concept known as the “butterfly effect.” It’s the idea that a small event in one place creates a cascading set of events elsewhere. So, how is the EMS landscape changing? We’re tracking the concerns and dynamics of this landscape, and there’s a lot to learn.
Coming to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Value Stream Mapping: Operationalizing Lean Manufacturing
October 14, 2015 | Erwin Patrocinio, Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc.Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
In the realm of electronics manufacturing services, EMS providers are continuously fraught with pressures from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to lower the total cost of production.
One of the tools used by EMS companies to achieve this goal is value stream mapping (VSM). VSM is a lean manufacturing technique used to document, analyze and improve the flow of information or materials required to produce a product or service. It provides optimum value to the customer through a complete value creation process with minimum waste in design (concept to customer), build (order to delivery), and maintenance (in-use through life cycle to service). Through VSM, the EMS provider maximizes the customer gains by adhering to a clear vision and implementing a clear plan connecting all improvement activities.
The VSM is a visualization tool that has its origin in the Toyota version of lean manufacturing (Toyota Production System). Through this tool, inherent wastes or losses within an operation are identified. The value stream maps reflect a broad view of the process, usually from external supplier to an external customer at a given facility.
Many of the problems that the VSM exposes reach across organizational lines of responsibility and expertise. The goal of the process is to identify, demonstrate and decrease those activities that do not add value to the production process.
By applying VSM, EMS providers can have a clearer picture of multiple processes involved in a work flow, identify waste and its sources, identify where change is required, standardize the process, and identify potential problems that could be encountered in the future state. It can also be used as a tool for planning as well as for managing changes. The VSM process helps make organizations more efficient by improving their processes. Let’s see how VSM is applied in an EMS environment.
The illustration below is an example of how a VSM project is done. The workshop typically runs for several days depending on the complexity of a certain project under study, while project closure is targeted within six months.
Pre-work is being done prior to the learning session and workshop. This includes gathering and analysis of business operations information, important production details and current performance. The line walk helps in gathering more information and shows the actual scenario of production where team members do line observation in each process and take notes.
This forms part of the actual mapping process. And like any other improvement discipline, the VSM project has its own project charter that states the project timeline, estimated benefits and other project information.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2015 issue of SMT Magazine.
Suggested Items
Strip Etch Strip: Episode 9 of On the Line With... Designing for Reality Podcast Now Available
07/25/2024 | I-Connect007Don't miss the latest episode of "On the Line With... Designing for Reality," where we walk through the PCB manufacturing process. At this stage, we have a panel made up of all the internal layers laminated together, through-holes drilled, and the outer layer copper features covered with a protective layer of tin.
Taiwanese Association of Companies Visits IMI
07/17/2024 | IMIThe Philippine Trade & Investment Center (PTIC) in Taipei along with 27 delegates from the Taiwanese Association of companies -- Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), Taiwan Smart Electric Bicycle, Association (TSEBA), and Commercial Vehicle Technology Development Association (CVTDA) visited IMI Philippines last July 10, 2024.
Altium Limited to be Removed from the S&P/ASX 200 Index
07/15/2024 | Altium LimitedS&P Dow Jones Indices announced today that it will remove Altium Limited (XASX: ALU) from the S&P/ASX 200 Index, subject to final court approval of the scheme of arrangement whereby the company will be acquired by Renesas Electronics Corporation (XTKS: 6723).
Exciting Times Ahead For IMI
07/09/2024 | IMIIntegrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. “These are exciting times ahead of us at IMI,” said Louis Sylvester Hughes, the company’s new CEO, rallying all employees and assuring all stakeholders of the company during a recently held townhall meeting at the company’s headquarters in Laguna. Employees from the company’s offshore sites were also listening online.
Renesas UPDATE: Regarding Acquisition of Stock of Altium Limited
06/28/2024 | RenesasAs announced in the press release “Regarding Acquisition of Stock of Altium Limited” issued on February 15, 2024, Renesas Electronics Corporation, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement for Renesas to acquire Altium Limited.