Increasing Productivity in Mechanical Processing Using Lean Manufacturing Methods

At the end of the 18th century, organisational structures and processes in manufacturing companies began to develop. In such companies, positive results appear in a relatively short time. Caring for the good condition of the company and encouraging creativity and innovation amongst employees through proper incentivisation is an investment for successful long-term operations.

Solution and Method

At the end of the 18th century, organisational structures and processes in manufacturing companies began to develop. The first mass production, which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century (assembly line in the automotive industry), required clear definition and optimisation of processes ** in companies**, both in production and in other supporting processes. In addition, the number of companies increased rapidly, which further increased the need for optimisation of all work processes.

If a company wants to be competitive in the market today, it is forced to change business processes, thereby causing dynamics and the need to make important, sometimes risky decisions. Market-attractive products, desire for success, persistence and understanding of the philosophy of ** lean manufacturing** place companies in a competitive advantage and better position in the market. Continuous improvements and satisfied employees in the company demonstrably reduce labour costs and eliminate activities (waste) that do not bring added value to products.

In companies where they are aware of competitive advantage, they use principles and tools of lean manufacturing.

Results

In such companies, positive results appear in a relatively short time. Caring for the good condition of the company and encouraging creativity and innovation amongst employees through proper incentivisation is an investment for successful long-term operations. The diploma thesis includes the theoretical part of lean manufacturing, its principles and methods with which companies can help themselves improve their operations, which was linked to an example from the practice of Talum Factory – Castings, which, like most companies, struggles with strong competition and ever-increasing market demands.

For its survival, it analyses its processes and rearranges them into optimal processes, and above all eliminates work that does not bring added value (eliminates waste). In order for the company to remain competitive, it also improves processes for longer-running mass-produced products. The subject of the diploma thesis is the analysis of the effects of introducing lean manufacturing in the company Talum d.d. – Ulitki.

In the diploma thesis, I wish to demonstrate how to shorten production times, ** reduce scrap, ** ensure timely deliveries to customers and ** reduce inventories** at all parts of the process.