Continuous Improvement Framework for a Multi-model Production Line

Abstract

In manufacturing, it is vital to identify current or potential bottlenecks and create plans to either eliminate, mitigate, or prevent them. There are many ways in which to assess a given system and identify the bottleneck: visual inspection, production data, anecdotal evidence, and experience, to name a few. Most strategies are a blend of methods with experience and anecdotal evidence comprising the majority of the approach which leads to large discrepancies between assessors.

This thesis details a method to standardize the assessment method of under performing portions of a manufacturing line while still giving the assessor the ability to leverage their experience, expertise, and creativity to solve the problem. This framework will be applied in a case study conducted at Nissan North America’s Canton, Mississippi Assembly Facility resulting in reclamation of approximately 50 minutes of production time eliminating the overtime requirement for a pair of manufacturing cells.