Framework of automated value stream mapping for lean production under the Industry 4.0 paradigm

For efficient use of value stream mapping(VSM)for multi-varieties and small batch production in a data-rich environment enabled by Industry 4.0 technologies,a systematic framework of VSM to rejuvenate traditional lean tools is proposed.It addresses the issue that traditional VSM requires intensive on-site investigation and replies on experience,which hinders decisionmaking efficiency in dynamic and complex environments.The proposed framework follows the data-information-knowledge hierarchy model,and demonstrates how data can be collected in a production workshop,processed into information,and then interpreted into knowledge.In this paper,the necessity and limitations of VSM in automated root cause analysis are first discussed,with a literature review on lean production tools,especially VSM and VSM-based decision making in Industry 4.0.An implementation case of a furniture manufacturer in China is presented,where decision tree algorithm was used for automated root cause analysis.The results indicate that automated VSM can make good use of production data to cater for multi-varieties and small batch production with timely on-site waste identification and analysis.The proposed framework is also suggested as a guideline to renew other lean tools for reliable and efficient decision-making.

Autonomous Vehicle Design in Lean Product Development Processes for Value Stream Map

The global automotive industry is giving a difficult and common test in order to create advanced life models in the near future plans or scenarios that include current autonomous vehicle technologies. Therefore, the main purpose of the research is to comparatively evaluate the impact of autonomous vehicle technologies, which are newly included in the automotive manufacturing industry under sustainable competition, on lean product development processes, value acquisition and preservation, in different organizational structures in the approach. Although mergers or brand acquisitions in the global automotive industry create joint R & D (Research Development) or joint new P & D (Product Development) process structures for the development of autonomous vehicle technologies, heavy competition continues in the market. These new processes create different needs for the merger and partnership of the renewed traffic infrastructures under national and international regulations, and for the implementation of the new autonomous life model. Firm and brand marriages, mergers or acquisitions in today’s automotive industry have ensured the high diffusion of lean product development processes under the stream of value creation or preservation carried out specific to the company under competition. Brand mergers in automotive industry companies struggling to survive under high competition create new work disciplines, professions, and engineering flow steps in lean product development processes. However, lean product development processes driven by technological innovation under simplification have resulted in the integration of parts and systems within the autonomous vehicle design structure, as well as creating new interdisciplinary value streams or different stakeholders. Therefore, the research revealed the significant effects of lean product development processes on the value stream in the automotive industry, on the mixed and lean product development process structure formed by new or existing vehicle systems (conventional vehicle) under the penetration of each existing and new discipline. This research compares the efficient operation steps of the process stakeholders in the autonomous vehicle design parts or systems containing innovation and new technology together with the value stream in the lean product development process, and the new process stakeholder’s business-oriented global and local automotive industry companies. New autonomous vehicle technologies, together with their unique software, hardware and development analysis, have been involved in the lean product development process with their interdisciplinary studies or expertise. Therefore, the study firstly focused on the technologies in environmental use together with the new basic features of autonomous vehicles, and then examined in depth the new or existing disciplines and interdisciplinary basic structure that these innovations affect under the value stream in the lean product development process. In addition, micro-level results and recommendations were shared, shedding light on how autonomous vehicle levels will create changes in the new product development process.

Evaluation of Clinical Laboratory Tests’ Turnaround Time in a Tertiary Hospital in Democratic Republic of the Congo

The delay in the delivery of laboratory results can be fatal and can even lead to the death of patients. This study was conducted at the clinical laboratory of the University Hospital of Kinshasa (UHK) from October 2020 to April 2021, aimed to evaluate the laboratory tests’ turnaround time (TAT) and to identify reasons for delay. TAT was quantified using a time and motion analysis approach. The evaluation of TAT consisted of comparing the overall intra-lab TAT with the suggested TAT using student t-test at 95% confidence intervals. Brainstorming was the root cause analysis tool used for identifying reasons for delay. In this study, the laboratory tests’ TATs were significantly higher (p < 0.001) comparing to international guidelines (60 minutes) and customers’ suggested TAT (120 minutes). Only 0.98% of the samples were reported within 60 minutes of patient reception and 1.47% within 120 minutes, i.e. an outlier rate of 98.5%. Root causes of delay related to Machinery, Management, Manpower, Materials, Method and Milieu. Because of many reasons, the laboratory is not meeting the established TAT. Preventive and curative measures must be undertaken to reduce the delay and improve the TAT.

Synchronized strategy to minimize vehicle dispatching time:a real example of steel industry

Time compression in supply chains is a crucial aspect involved in the integration of warehousing and transport operations in the manufacturing industries. Sup- ply chain flows could be interrupted due to many sources of delays that lead to additional time in dispatching process and reduction in customer service level. The problem considered in this paper consists of long waiting times of loading vehicles inside the plant. This work presents a simulation-based study to minimize vehicle dispatching time in a steel wire plant. Value stream map is developed to present a system perspective of processes involved in the overall supply chain. Process activity mapping is com- pleted to provide a step by step analysis of activities involved in the vehicle dispatch process. A simulation model is developed for the system and a new model is proposed to improve the delivery performance by mini- mizing vehicles＇ waiting time.

Lean System Design for Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing

A five-step method framework is proposed by combing improved value stream mapping with simulation and design of experiment(DOE) to design the lean system for engineer-to-order(ETO) manufacturing,and lean practice implementation path is decided.Meanwhile,a real company case like HAVC is taken to display the application of the framework.The results indicate that compared to supermarket Kanban,constant work in process(Conwip) has the broader applicability in ETO manufacturing and the critical business process,like purchasing of key parts,and has more significant effects on value stream performance.Therefore,it should have priority in lean practice implementation.