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Performance Improvement Ideas

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"A process improvement example."

October 16, 2009 by Mike Strawbridge

Don't just fix it when you can make it better!

 

Just because you have always done it that way does not mean it is the best way.

 

For over twenty years at Westvaco, they had used the same method of removing and replacing impression rollers in the presses. The old cart was a nice adjustable height lift table that held the roll securely and enabled the operator to lift the roll into place and held it securely while the bolts were tightened.   The cart however required the paper web to be cut in order for the cart to be placed under the roll.  The old cart in in the rear of the picture.

process improvement consulting services process improvement example

We designed the new cart (foreground) that slipped over the paper in the press and still held the roll securely.  In addition we added a foot operated hydraulic lift to speed up the operation.    These new carts saved about 20 minutes per roll change and eliminated the problems associated with taping the paper web back together after each roll change.    

 

These carts paid for themselves in increased production output in about three months time.

Mike Strawbridge October 16, 2009