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CONVERT INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL
2017-06-19 12:12:53| Anderson Tool and Die
The first, most important task of setup reduction is to separate the external setup functions from the internal functions. Remember, external steps do not require the machine be stopped, Internal steps do. The second stage in setup reduction is to convert internal steps to external steps, if possible. This means changing an internal step in some manner so that the step can be done while the machine is running. Converting internal to external involves two important concepts: 1. Re-examine the internal operations to see whether any steps were incorrectly assumed to be internal. This takes critical thinking because it involves challenging assumptions which may have been held for a long time. One needs to ask the question, does the machine really need to be stopped for this step, or has it just always been done that way? 2. Find ways to convert internal setup to external setup. This also takes critical thinking because it often takes creative measures to convert setup steps from internal to external. Converting internal to external may involve other tools or fixtures, duplicate tools, extra jaws, etc. to make the step external. But this is one of the most fruitful ways to shorten setup time. Don’t forget, our target is to shorten the amount of time the machine must be stopped. Turning internal setup into external setup is rather simple to write about, but can be very difficult to turn into positive action. That’s because it requires a new way of thinking. It takes creativity. Yet, some of the “fixes” you discover to turn internal into external may turn out to be quite simple and not cost any money. In a job shop environment one never knows if or when we will ever see the job again. Therefore it sometimes seems wasteful to spend time on planning for saving time the next time, when the next time may never happen. The answer to this puzzle is that the more you do something, the easier it becomes. The easier it becomes, the more you will be able to use it immediately, instead of just planning for the next time. Repetition permits the brain to be able to react instinctively. Constant focus on setup reduction will eventually permit habit type responses to setup steps. You will automatically do the external setup steps for the next job concurrently with the present job without even thinking about it. Even if you do not have the time to do them personally, you will attempt to get help with the external setup steps while you keep the present job running. You will also automatically think of more ways to change internal steps to external. Next week we will discuss how standardization fits into SMED.
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Category:Industrial Goods and Services