In the December issue of World Trade magazine, leading manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, described the current nature of “Dynamic Warehousing” including the role of the Demand Driven Supply Chain.

Ford Motor Company’s use of virtual manufacturing technologies is a big factor of what’s behind the company’s soaring quality performance. As an industry leader in virtual technology, Ford uses digital tools to predict and eliminate on-the-job injuries as well as ensure manufacturing feasibility part by part. “The goal of our virtual manufacturing tools is to drive compatibility between the product design and the assembly plant process,” explained Dan Hettel, chief engineer, Vehicle Operations. “We validate each assembly process virtually to ensure that it can be completed with quality. The quality results of our recent launches show that the virtual process is working.” The approach has helped see Ford’s quality improve 11 percent last year in the United States versus 2 percent for the industry average, according to a Global Quality Research System study, conducted in 2007 by RDA Group for Ford. Ford employs advanced motion capture technology — commonly used in animated movies and digital games — with human modeling software to design jobs that are less physically stressful on workers. “The benefits are fewer injuries, lower cost of tooling changes, higher quality and faster time to market. We’re seeing improvement in every one of those metrics, and our virtual technology is a factor,” said Allison Stephens, Ford ergonomics technical specialist with Vehicle Operations Manufacturing Engineering.

A video overview of innovative Lean Communications from Concrete Heads training in application from a Policy Deployment Roll-out program in 2004.

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A variety of manual Henrob tools in production riveting steel frame housing wall panels (ICC Evaluated), trusses and floor beams. Tools shown include standard C-frames, C-frames with rotary manifolds, and E-frames. Company Info: Henrob Self-Pierce Riveting (HSPR) is a process of joining two or more materials from an engineered rivet, unlike conventional riveting, HSPR does not require a drilled or punched hole. HSPR joins dissimilar materials such as steel, aluminum, plastics, composites, and pre-coated or pre-painted materials. Benefits include low energy demands, fast cycle times, no heat, fumes, sparks or waste, providing a great alternative to welding and other fastening techniques.

Datacraft Solutions is the leader in supply chain visibility solutions and has a target customer: manufacturers that are managing a supply chain of many suppliers with varying lead times. These are typically assembly line manufacturers that have typically carried higher levels of safety stock due to the costs associated with stock outs on an assembly line.

FREE Online White Belt Program ideal for all businesses and manufacturing companies. Check out www.Lean2020.com for your White Belt Certification. Available for Healthcare professionals as well.