Single-minute exchange of die (SMED) and alternative methodologies aim at reducing the time needed for equipment setup, minimizing non-productive periods in the shop floor. That in turns enables production of increasingly smaller lot sizes. SMED is based on a number of improvement techniques that emphasize cooperative teamwork and the proposal of creative ways to improve existing processes. This paper presents a methodology for rapid exchange of die, comprised of the following steps: project definition, planning of activities, personnel training in SMED, implementation per se and follow-up and consolidation. A case study from the furniture industry illustrates the methodology steps.
rapid exchange of tools; SMED methodology; machine set up time
