What should be considered when designing a lean pipe workbench?

As a work platform, the lean unit production workbench needs to consider various factors in its design, closely integrating the required operating steps, materials, fixtures, and equipment in the production process to achieve the goal of facilitating the operation of operators. The requirements for the workbench are shown in the following figure.

1. Size design of workbench

The dimensions of the lean unit production workbench include the length, degree, and height of the workbench. If the workbench is too long, it will cause the edge length of the transfer distance between workstations for products. If the width exceeds the distance of the operator's arm, it will be very inconvenient for the operator to retrieve materials. Therefore, when designing the size of the workbench, it is necessary to first understand the basic dimensions of the operators. For example, the maximum allowable range for operation is to extend the length of the operator's arm, and the height of the workbench is also related to the operator's height.

2. Material placement of lean unit production workbench

The order and method of material placement can affect the operational speed of workers. If all materials can be accessed within the range of the operator's forearm, it will save the operator's operating time. If the direction and arrangement of materials can be determined. It will shorten the time for material retrieval. In addition, whether materials are classified and placed in the order of operation will also affect the speed of personnel handling them. There are many directional and quantitative material supply tools on the market now, such as screw supply machines, spring separators, etc.

3. Material supplement method

How to return empty material boxes and how to directly put materials online are considerations when designing lean unit production workbenches. Empty containers are usually returned by gravity using a slope. Material replenishment is usually done on the opposite side of the operator, so that the placement method can replenish the materials online without disturbing the operation.

4. Work area

In addition to the material, equipment, and fixture areas that require desktop space, the lean unit production work area also requires desktop space. The workspace is the area required for workers to work on the workbench. The size of the work area emphasizes suitability, and a work area that is too large will not improve work efficiency, but rather reduce it. Operators can simulate operations on site to confirm the final size of the work area.

5. Equipment miniaturization

The advantages of miniaturization of equipment are small space occupation, strong flexibility, and the ability to freely increase or decrease equipment and place it on the workbench.