Having a streamlined assembly line can make a big difference as a higher output enables your business to sell more and, in turn, earn more profits. That helps your business continue to grow and ensures its success over many years. Now that you know why it’s important to improve your factory line, let’s look at how to do so. It can feel overwhelming to know where to start, so the 4 suggestions below can be a great starting point to make positive changes.
By Team Savant
Image: Drink Drippy
Standardise Tools and Parts
Using consistent tools and parts across yoru operations can simplify processes and avoid miscommunications. That also makes restocking easier. Repairs are likely to be faster too as there are fewer replacement parts needed. When it comes to fixing issues, you’ll also benefit from having fewer tools to reach for at the time. These benefits explain why standardisation is a key part of lean manufacturing.
Cross-Train Staff
While you might be confident in the team’s ability to perform their own roles, how are they doing at stepping in for a different position temporarily, such as when someone is sick or on long-term leave? Cross-training staff helps prevent skill gaps between workers in different positions and gets you through employee shortages. It can also maximize efficiency, even at the busiest times of the year, as staff know how to step in when needed in multiple roles. That makes for a versatile team and a business that runs more smoothly.
Use CY Cables for Reliable Signals
If you have automated machinery and sensors on your assembly line, signal interference can be more than just annoying. It can also be dangerous as parts don’t function as anticipated. Also, system shutdowns can occur, and that downtime can cost your business money with each passing moment, eating into your week’s profits. Thankfully, using CY cables can help. A CY cable is a screened flexible control cable that minimizes EMI (electromagnetic interference), so your data signals are reliable. For robotic arms, wiring sensors, and other equipment, CY cables are a must-have.
Use Visual Cues
Adding color to the factory floor is about more than aesthetics. It can improve communication across the space amongst your team. For example, you may use code-colored bins, have specific markings on the floor, and even light signals to denote different messages. That can prevent miscommunications that could be unsafe or unproductive, making for faster and better decision-making.
Concluding Remarks: 4 Ways to Enhance Your Assembly Line
Improving your assembly line can be in subtle ways or with big actions. What is right for your business depends on its size, goals, type of product, and more. From CY cables to cross-training your team, there are many options. You might also decide to reorganize the layout of the manufacturing plant to reduce the distance that employees have to go to move items, increasing overall productivity.
With smart changes tailored to your operations, your assembly line can meet challenges well. Being proactive in what you do can help you prevent major disruptions later, improve efficiency, and help your team perform at its best.