Line Balancing - Yamazumi Chart Method

Abstract:

Line balancing is a production/manufacturing/management strategy that aims to optimise the production of a product within a specific time frame.

The strategy involves assessing entire manufacturing production lines, cosntruction schedules or value chains, highlighting processes that are either constrained (inefficient) or overproducing (efficient) and rebalancing these processes and resources to smooth out production.

The Yamazumi chart is a tool that is used to visualise this strategy by identifying all sub-processes involved in a particular task, how workers are allocated to each process, the mean time taken for each task and which processes add value or not.

The chart ensures quick indentification of problems within the value chain, and enables tasks or sub-processes to be quickly redistributed between workers and for tasks that are not value-adding or waste to be eliminated from processes entirely.

References:

IMPROVEMENT OF OVERALL EFFICIENCY OF PRODUCTION LINE BY USING LINE BALANCING [1]

Lean Manufacturing Implementation Using Value Stream Mapping: A Case study of Pumps Manufacturing Company [2]

Optimization Assembly Process base on Motion Time Study in Manufacturing Industry: Study Case and Implementation [3]

Ohno, Taiichi. The Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production. Portland, Oregon: Productivity Press, 1988.

Notes:

Link APPPM textbooks and sources to Line Balancing and efficient manufacturing.

Plan:

Overview

Methodology

Uses

Example

Downloadable Template

Referénces

Backup idea:

Edward De Bono's 6 Thinking Hats