One of the most important factors for any successful manufacturing process is the efficiency with which is can produce the goods that it’s designed to output. To that end, rather than simply assuming that yours is working to its optimal speed and productivity, it can pay to take a closer look. Here, we’re going to highlight some ways you can speed up your production line.
Work with a production manager
While you might be prone to overseeing the different aspects of your business closely, this can sometimes be a mistake, especially where specialist knowledge could offer a lot of help. To that end, hiring a production manager can help you ensure that many of the more detailed questions of running your manufacturing floor get the attention that they demand while also freeing you up to work on other aspects of the business more completely.
Organize the workspace as best as possible
You should take the time to look at your team’s workspace and ask yourself where they can be improved to allow for better working conditions. Reducing the range of movement for each task, creating the best layout of tools and materials, and getting rid of unnecessary clutter can all enable your team to complete their part of the process more quickly. Of course, the layout of the whole manufacturing floor plays a role, as well.
Produce your own components on site
One of the ways you can improve the speed of manufacturing is by making sure that you don’t have to wait for as many parts as you would, otherwise. For instance, rather than waiting for a delivery of components, you can use fast machining tools like a broaching machine that can make your components on-site. After the initial setup costs, it can also be a lot more cost-effective to make your own components than to pay someone else to supply you with them.
Automate what you can
Although you may be resistant to the idea of downsizing your team, there’s no denying that human error can be a big cause of lost time and materials in the manufacturing process. You can look at the parts of the production floor where human error is costing you the most and, if training isn’t working, look at what you can do to automate your process.
Avoid accidents and injuries
Simply put, there are few things more costly in manufacturing than an accident-prone workplace. By making sure that your team is able to work safely with machines, by providing the necessary training, equipping them with the safety gear they need, and by seeing through the proper installation of safety guards, emergency stop buttons, and the like, you can make sure accidents don’t become a frequent cause of lost time on your floor.
There are many more ways you can improve the productivity of your manufacturing line than those outlined above, but those will largely depend on the specifics of your manufacturing. However, the tips above can help you get started with some of the most common culprits behind lost time.
