In this article, metal fabrication will be discussed along with the Japanese 5S method. In the metal manufacturing world, the Kaizen 5S framework, which is composed of five Japanese words that begins with letter “S” can be implemented in the production facility. The framework will allow for a sanitized work setting.
- The first “S” refers to Seiri. This term refers to tidiness or can also be referred as “sort”. The shop floor in your metal manufacturing community should always be very tidy. Materials that are not needed in the manufacturing process have to be discarded. One way of identifying those that are not needed is through being “red tagging” them; that is placing a red tag on the items. These items are then moved in a storage place where they can be either thrown or recycled.
- The next “S” is Seiton which means organization or setting things in order. In the shop floor, everything should be organized. The different items should be piled accordingly and label them so that the workers can locate them easily. If things are not in order, this will delay production time since workers will be devoting time in seeking the misplaced components.
- The third “S” is Seiso and is defined as “shine” or cleanliness. When you have everything stowed away in place, you need to thoroughly clean the shop and on a continuous basis. The shop floor and machineries should always be clean so that their functions will be kept sharp and optimal. Cleaning will also help the workers notice that something is not really working appropriately.
- The fourth “S” is Seiketsu and means standardization. This means that everyone in the company is on the same level of thinking in what they should be working with and a standard procedure should always be followed in order to maintain the 5S methodology. Companies usually use signs and charts as reminders to workers so that they will keep on using the system.
- The fifth “S” stands for Shitsuke and means the continuous adherence to the principles of Kaizen through the improvement and sustenance of the discipline. The goal of the company should make the 5S a practice and not fall back to the old bad habits and slide down and forget the 5S methodology. You need to constantly remind and follow-up the workers in order to ensure that the 5S methodology is successful.
These principles that were given emphasis by the Japanese people are really a good help to different companies. Those companies that were using the 5S methodology have really advanced in greater ways compared to those who have continuously been encased in old bad habits.