3. Combat the effects of diversity within a production unit

The various effects observed above are not inevitable: they can largely be mitigated, or even rendered invisible. Once again, these measures should be activated before the innovation is introduced into normal operation!

• For series changeovers, a very common method can be used: the "SMED" method (see glossary). In a nutshell, this is an industrial organization tool designed to optimize changeover times according to the following stages:

  • first, a review of the various activities required for change ;

  • then identify all activities that can be carried out outside the machine shutdown period (tool preparation or preheating, bringing in the necessary equipment, storage, etc.);

  • lastly, optimization of activities that can only be carried...