SMT007 Magazine

54 SMT Magazine • October 2015 atic in operations that have processes requir- ing capital intensive environments like plating, clean room imaging, etc., where setting up a single machine in a cell is prohibitive. Cross Training Cross training is critical to manufacturing continuity to overcome employee absences, spe - cific department surges, and other unforeseen events that would compromise ongoing pro- cesses. The problem with cross training is that it is typically employed randomly, meaning that employees are cross trained based on their past experience or interest with no strategy to cross train across closely related tasks. SPC SPC uses statistical analysis to monitor and control processes. Once again, the problem with SPC is that it works best in a mature, high-vol - ume process with a stable product mix. Com- panies tend to focus SPC on product specific at- tributes that change with each product, which creates challenges with processes that change part numbers multiple times daily like in print- ed circuit manufacturing. Introducing WorK Workflow optimized for rapid kinesis (WORK) adapts the most critical elements of the current toolset to the HMLV manufactur- ing environment. Developed over the past three decades in the trenches with manufacturing companies all over the world, this new manu- facturing strategy is specifically aligned for high- mix, low-volume companies. WORK isn't just a production toolset; it applies to all processes from order entry through shipping. While the foundational tools and techniques are certainly not new or groundbreaking, the unique combi- nation and adaption to HMLV manufacturing is. This first installment in a three-part series on WORK will focus on office operations, to be fol- lowed by production next month. cycle time reduction Starts in the office One of the biggest "A-ha" moments I've per- sonally heard following a comprehensive assess- ment is just how much lead-time is consumed by office functions such as sales, order entry, en- gineering, and CAM. This is the fastest and easi- est way to begin a WORK implementation with a payback that begins immediately. The follow- figure 1. cycLe tIMe reductIon WIth WorK, PArt I The righT APPrOACh

• Cover
• Feature Articles — Cycle Time Reduction
• Table of Contents
• Column — The Need for Speed
• Feature — Value Stream Mapping: Operationalizing Lean Manufacturing
• Feature Interview — Choosing the Right Component to Reduce Cycle Times
• Feature Column — Reducing Print Cycle Time
• Short — Darwin on a Chip
• Feature Interview — Cycle Time Reduction in the Eye of AOI
• EIN Market Highlights
• Feature Interview — Reducing Cycle Times with Innovative Bonding Solutions
• Feature — Technologies to Enable Quick-Turn PCB Assemblies
• Feature Interview — Process Improvements for Cycle Time Reduction
• Short — Nanostructures for Contactless Control
• Feature Column — Cycle Time Reduction with WORK, Part I
• MilAero007 Highlights
• Feature Interview — Is Automation the Answer to Cycle Time Reduction?
• Column — Gold Embrittlement Mitigation: Understanding the New J-STD-001 Requirements
• Short — A Fast Cell Sorter Shrinks to Cell Phone Size
• Supply Line Highlights
• Feature Interview — Inspection Innovations to Reduce Cycle Time
• Short — Permanent Data Storage with Light
• Column — Selecting a Reflow Oven, Part 3
• Top Ten Recent Highlights from SMT007
• Events Calendar
• Advertiser Index and Masthead