No China Lean

The Chinese workforce is seen as having a strong work ethic while their companies have not mastered efficiency as of yet. ...

... "Chinese-run companies don't have lean manufacturing, and workers won't stop production lines if they see something's wrong because the social and education system is based on Confucianism -- which emphasizes loyalty, harmony and obedience, not questioning. " ...

Via IndustryWeek: China

Cessna is 40Percent Complete with Textron Six Sigma

Cessna introduces its new Cessna 350 and 400 aircraft, which are produced at its Bend, Oregon facility. ...

... "Since Cessna acquired the assets of the Bend plant in December 2007, the production facility has received a full face lift including new signage, new lighting and a new customer center. The transition plan, which includes implementation of Textron Six Sigma, has reached 40 percent completion. Cessna expects to deliver 150 350/400 aircraft this year and plans to increase production rates in 2009 to meet customer demands. " ...

Via Cessna: New 350 and 400 Aircraft

Six Sigma Supports Manufacturing Expansion

Boston-Power will expand production of next-generation Lithium-ion batteries for notebook computers through a partnership with GP Batteries. ...

... "Sonata will be produced in GP Batteries' state-of-the-art facilities in Taiwan. There, it will benefit from Six Sigma manufacturing processes and a unique, real-time quality control feedback and management system that is proprietary to Boston-Power. " ...

Via Boston Power: Manufacturing expansion of next-generation Sonata notebook computer battery

Lean Product Design Process

Lear Corp sees productivity gains from its lean processes, such as product design and manufacturing. ...

... "Product design is another key element in Lear's Lean Manufacturing System. Product design teams rely on LMS principles to ensure products can be manufactured in a lean environment. Approximately two thirds of product costs are locked into the initial design of the product, Coomer noted, so any effort to reduce cost after the initial design stage can only influence the remaining one third of the product's overall cost. At one facility, for example, product design teams incorporating design for lean principles in a model year change realigned workstations, changed production flows and made other assembly line changes to boost productivity. " ...

Via Lear: Lean Manufacturing System

Lear Jet Cockpit view ...

Lean Quick Changeover

The lean workcell requires the ability to accomodate quick changeovers. ...

... "In fact, the ability to change the process and go from good part to good part as quickly as possible is a must. The faster the changeover, the less production time is lost. " ...

Via Electronics Supply & Manufacturing: Lean Principles

Boeing Aircraft Lean Production System

Boeing starts manufacturing of key airplane components as it ramps up for aircraft assembly by mid-year. Lean techniques make up its repertoire of manufacturing improvements. ...

... "To create additional production capacity to build the 787 vertical fin, the Boeing factory implemented significant improvements, including a pulse moving line featuring right-sized tooling, determinant assembly and advanced technology drilling techniques. Lean manufacturing techniques are used to enhance the quality and efficiency of its production system. " ...

Via Aero-News Network: Boeing 787 Manufacturing