kanban

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Kanban

A scheduling system indicating how many goods one must produce in a given period of time, how one must produce them, and by when they must be completed. It developed in Japan as a means to achieve just-in-time inventory control.

kanban

a Japanese term meaning ‘card’. It is used to describe part of the control mechanism for JUST-IN-TIME (JIT) and is at the centre of all JIT operations. A kanban is used to authorize the previous stage of production to make components. As such the system operates as a pull mechanism. A kanban system, to work successfully, should operate within the following conditions.

A relatively stable demand pattern, with probably no more than 10% variation either side of the average.
QUALITY is imperative, defects for components in the system must be at a minimum. This is because kanbans normally work at preset component levels.
Good operator motivation. This is essential because a kanban is essentially a short-term, minute by minute inventory control mechanism. The simplest kanban is known as the kanban square. Here a square card (hence the name) is placed between two workstations. When the square is full (to a preset level) work at the previous station stops. When work is pulled from the square by the next operation (hence the alternative term ‘pull-system’) then work at the previous operation may start again. Kanbans exist in a number of variations, as stationary points attached to a work centre or as cards attached to an inventory bin, the principal remains the same however. See LEAN MANUFACTURING.

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References in periodicals archive ?

The authors describe the modeling assumptions, which are in fact, general assumptions applied when dealing with CONWIP and Kanban Systems, in order to make quicker/easier translations from the model to its interpretation, as for instance, each card (whether it is Kanban or CONWIP) represents one and only one part, thanks to which the number of cards in the line will help interpret immediately the number of parts in the system.

Comparacion de Kanban, CONWIP y sistemas hibridos pull

Anderson only has the kanban system set up for raw materials, and is in the process of setting up the system for consumables this month, and products by the end of the year.

Lean operation producing results; Anderson Power uses state grant for makeover

Systems such as the Kanban system, the Mizusumashi system and the cell production system have been introduced to realize the actual goal of just-in-time manufacturing (Takakuwa &Nomura, 2003).

Functional analysis of cell production system as just-in-time manufacturing

The kanban system reduced work-in-progress stocks by 40 per cent in the first two years and improved delivery performance.

Manufacturing: Portmeirion Potteries shortlisted for national industry award

There are several famous programs such as Kaizen and the Kanban System, which have also been introduced in the U.

Japan's competitive edge: how has the island nation managed to maintain the leading share of PCBs? A relentless cost-reduction drive

This book is a step-by-step guide to incorporating the kanban system into any manufacturing environment.

Kanban Made Simple: Demystifying and Applying Toyota's Legendary Manufacturing Process

The kanban system evolved at the same time that Toyota was experimenting with just-in-time and is the method by which the system runs smoothly.

Taiichi Ohno: Toyota Production System

Using a kanban system, pull scheduling smoothes the flow of materials across a factory floor because production signals are generated real-time for components as work-in-process inventories are consumed in downstream workstations.

Becoming a lean enterprise: a tale of two firms; both an aircraft manufacturer and an oral surgeon are reaping efficiencies from following the principles of lean transformation. (Cost Accounting)

We now have a kanban system and are building only on demand from the customer," Oines concludes.

CNC cells rule in precision production: Hydraulic parts mixed and matched on CNC cell. (High-Volume Production)

Also part of Arvin's lean operations is a Kanban system.

Arvin Sets Controls for Smooth Ride

This company implemented the typical Kanban system which starts in shipping when a shipment creates a need for parts which are withdrawn from the manufacturing location.

Successful implementation of TPS in a manufacturing setting: a case study

Thanks to audit, the kanban system is now also in place at American Standard's New Jersey location.