Using value stream mapping to improve forging processes

Value stream mapping is a technique that uses icons to map the flow of product through a manufacturing system. These icons are aided by summary statistics to further detail the specific manufacturing system. The value stream mapping process usually consists of defining the current state of the system and then, using the principles of lean manufacturing, mapping an improved future system state. Although this is the popular technique, variants and refinements of it exist. This work examines the various techniques of value stream mapping and the methods used to evaluate value stream maps to improve manufacturing systems. The past and current research into value stream mapping and the methods to analyze these maps are compared and contrasted. A set of core analysis questions is developed that summarize the various value stream mapping methodologies. The application of these questions to an enhanced value stream map is developed as a tool, hybrid value stream mapping. Hybrid value stream mapping is then used to analyze the current state value stream map of a manufacturing process, the forging of automotive ring gears. The answers to the core analysis questions enabled the identification of weaknesses in the manufacture of ring gears and suggested system-wide problems. To further clarify and suggest means to rectify these weaknesses, methods beyond the scope of value stream mapping were utilized. By using systems based on standard inventory theory, economic production quantities, techniques to improve information visibility, and methods to enhance production equipment savings of over $4.7 million net present value were discovered for the ring gear production process.

Department dc:contributor.department

Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• King, Stephen G. (Stephen George), 1974-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stephen C. Graves and Daniel Frey.

• Sloan School of Management.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Leaders for Manufacturing Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34772

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34772