Understanding Time Loss in Manufacturing Operations

Abstract

Nowadays, manufacturing high product variety is essential for manufacturing companies in order to be sustainable in a volatile market. However, maintaining a shorter lead time in manufacturing operations is also crucial as the speed delivery becomes one of the manufacturing competitive priorities. Motivated by this issue, this study aims to develop a model of Time Loss (TL) for sub-assembly processes in automotive industry. In relation to this, critical elements of TL will be clearly justified through a thorough analysis of literature study in the aspects of Man, Machine, Method, and Material (4M). In this study, the critical elements of TL is defined as an unnecessary activity that needs to be eliminated or minimized. The relationships between the critical elements of TL are clarified through the flow of activities involved in the concept of manufacturing input-output. Finally, the critical elements of TL are compared to the existing non-financial manufacturing performance measures presented in isolated models (e.g. leanness, agility, responsiveness, etc.). Results of the analysis show that the critical elements of TL can be represented as a holistic performance measure of manufacturing operations that includes leanness, agility, fitness, responsiveness, flexibility, and sustainability.