#LEAN

Machine Shop Leans on Rotary Transfer for Higher Efficiency

A firearm parts supplier’s lean manufacturing methods help it discover the many advantages of rotary transfer technology.

Lori Beckman
Senior Editor, Products Finishing

Video: Adopting Continuous Improvement as Company Culture

Continuous improvement is an ongoing investment into identifying opportunities for boosting efficiency and reducing waste. This article shares advice from machine shop managers to other machine shop managers about continuous improvement plans that have worked for their companies and the benefits they are enjoying as the fruits of their labor.

The Benefits of Self-Directed Work Teams

With self-directed work teams, each team of workers is given full responsibility for their work orders—scheduling them and making sure they have the necessary materials to complete the job.

Self-Directed Work Teams Offer Better Efficiency

While working as a team, everyone brings their own “specialty” or unique skill set to the table to create one strong, intelligent force. With self-directed work teams, each team of workers is given full responsibility for their work orders—scheduling them and making sure they have the necessary materials to complete the job.

Putting your Shop on a Diet: How to Become Lean

There are strategies involved in achieving lean for a shop, but like going on a diet, lean doesn’t happen overnight and it takes some work on your part to get your shop in shape.

The 'Skinny' on the New Year

One New Year's resolution you should seriously consider for your shop is to work on going as lean as possible, and our articles on productionmachining.com can help you reach your goal.

Tips to Lean on for Becoming Lean

Lean manufacturing is the goal every shop strives to achieve. But unlike earning a diploma or completing a marathon, it is not a one-time success story.

Lean Means Being Comfortable

Like writing, lean manufacturing requires people to be comfortable in their own skin while checking any ego issues at the door.

Derek Korn
Editor-in-Chief, Production Machining magazine

How VIBCO Achieved Lean

VIBCO Vibrators, founded in 1962, manufactures and markets a comprehensive range of industrial and construction vibrators.

5 Buyer Decisions That Increase Costs

These five factors can unnecessarily add costs or delays to a precision machined part: small order quantities, material selection, special diameter holes, close tolerances, unnecessarily fine surface finish.

Automation & Robots

Running Remotely

Everybody talks about unattended machining operations and many have implemented it in varying degrees. Since day one, this Dayton, Ohio shop has never operated any other way.

The Skinny on Lean Manufacturing

Lean manufacturing—the on-going effort to remove waste from a manufacturing process—has become not only a practice in the metalworking industry, but a culture as well.

Why Is This Here?

Two essential principles to help you establish “lean” in your operations.

A Problem-Solving Approach: One Size Does Not Fit All

Each day, organizations face challenges to become lean within their shops. Often, the focus of these lean activities is not extended to our management practices. Problem-solving methodology is one such management practice where simplicity is sometimes ignored.