Authors:
J. Llopis
1
;
2
;
A. Lacasa
1
;
2
;
E. Garcia
2
and
N. Montés
1
Affiliations:
1
Department of Mathematics, Physics and Technological Sciences, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, C/ San Bartolome 55, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
;
2
Ford Spain, Polígono Industrial Ford S/N, CP 46440, Almussafes, Valencia, Spain
Keyword(s):
Bottleneck, Miniterm, Predictive Maintenance, Machine Effectiveness.
Abstract:
The Sub-Bottleneck concept is introduced in this article for the first time. The literature defines the bottleneck concept through the cycle time in which, as a general rule, the slowest machine with longer cycle time, is classified as a bottleneck. Depending on the cycle time, the machine, the production line, the plant taken into account, etc., the literature has defined the concept of bottleneck in plant, bottleneck in production line, bottleneck in machine, etc. This article presents the Sub-Bottleneck concept for the first time. This concept uses the mini-term, a cycle time of each component that makes up a machine to determine which is the slowest and focus on future improvements that will optimize the efficiency of the production line. In order to validate this proposal, the mini-terms have been implemented in a production line at the Ford factory in Almussafes (Valencia, Spain), made up of 4 welding robots. The tests show the variable nature of the components and that the typ
ical bottleneck studied in the literature does not have to coincide with the Sub-Bottleneck concept.
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