Setup time reduction of a manufacturing white line using single minute exchange of die technique

Abstract

This paper presents the reduction of setup by applying the Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) technique to a white-line company. The research was developed through interviews with employees and access to production data, extracted from the computerized system to the company. The case study evaluated the press setup activities of the stamping sector of a stove assembly line. The results show the phases of SMED technique implementation, evaluation of internal setup and external setup activities; conversion of internal setup to external, and standardization of preparation activities, which can be performed as external setup. The gains obtained with the reduction of setup time prove the use of the SMED technique in improving efficiency and increasing production capacity.