Milk-run kanban system for raw printed circuit board withdrawal to surface-mounted equipment
Abstract: The paper aims to
present a case study and later simulation analysis on a kanban system that
incorporating milk-run operation to draw in raw material to the process.
Design/methodology/approach: Data
collection at the case study company for ten weeks followed by a process study
called value stream mapping. The proposed kanban model is simulated to test its
various performances including total output, average flow time, average
work-in-process, SME utilization, and average waiting time. Response surface
methodology is adopted to generate suitable representative regression models.
Findings: For all performance measures, simulation results showed that
the proposed system consistently outperforms the push system currently
practiced. Second, the system indicates the advantages of leveling,
particularly in the event of machine failure and blockage. Third, operator in
the proposed kanban system has a lower utilization, even with the additional
material handling task.
Research limitations/implications: This study only begins to reveal the
implication of leveling for production control on multi-machine scenario. The
simulation of the system is solely based only the case study. The control
parameters critical to the case study, were naturally used. The furtherance of
the research should include generalizing the system and devising the respective
methodology to facilitate wider applications.
Practical implications: Originality/value: The kanban system is proposed in the light of
conflicting interests in handling the surface mounting and the related upstream
processes. Such aspect is common to electronics assembly industry.
Author: Swee Li Chee, Mei Yong
Chong, Jeng Feng Chin
Journal Code: jptindustrigg120009
