Andon is a system for quickly communicating problems that arise during the production process. It is a type of visual management tool used in Lean Manufacturing to monitor and improve processes by providing real-time feedback to managers and employees.
Andon is an important element of the Toyota Production System (TPS) and Lean Manufacturing that enables shop floor personnel to signal for help when needed. Andon boards are often used to monitor and manage production activities on the shop floor, allowing supervisors to quickly identify potential problems or issues as they arise. When a worker encounters a problem, they can press a button on their Andon board, which creates an alert for management or support staff to resolve the issue.
Andon systems can be as simple as a light or bell to indicate an issue, or they can be more complex digital devices that provide detailed information about the machine’s status. Some systems are integrated with stop buttons, allowing operators to pause production as soon as a problem is identified.
This type of system provides visibility into production processes so that any disruption in quality or efficiency can be identified quickly and addressed before it causes further delays or costly repairs.
There are three main reasons why implementing Andon in lean manufacturing is beneficial:
1. Improved Visibility
With Andon, supervisors and managers can identify problems in real-time and take swift action to address them. This improved visibility into production processes ensures that any deviation from the expected quality standards or efficiency goals are identified quickly and resolved before further disruption occurs.
2. Increased Efficiency
By allowing shop floor personnel to call for help promptly when needed, order times can be reduced as issues are addressed quickly instead of waiting for scheduled maintenance periods. This ensures that production is maximized with minimal downtime.
3. Quality Assurance
With Andon boards in place, workers have the freedom to signal for help whenever there is a potential problem which allows management to take corrective measures before the quality of the product suffers due to faulty components. This improved quality assurance helps to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty in the long-term.
Overall, Andon boards are an invaluable tool for improving visibility, efficiency and quality assurance in lean manufacturing processes. By providing shop floor personnel with a tool to signal for help when needed, production can be maximized with minimal disruption or delays while ensuring that customer satisfaction is maintained by eliminating potential issues before they arise. Implementing Andon in Lean Manufacturing is thus an essential step towards achieving optimal organizational performance and customer service excellence.