Manufacturing is essential to our American way of life. There were 13 million people employed in more than 244K manufacturing companies in 2023, contributing 10.3% of the U.S. economy. Over 69% of U.S. manufacturers are estimated to utilize some aspects of lean manufacturing, contributing significantly to their success.
What is Lean Manufacturing?
Lean manufacturing encompasses production methods that are designed to eliminate waste and inefficiency. It is a relentless pursuit of reducing anything that does not add value to a product to increase company profitability. Its beginnings have been credited to Toyota, and its principles and practices are widely embraced worldwide. In the U.S. today, many notable companies besides Toyota employ lean manufacturing.
Why Companies Use Lean Manufacturing Principles
Companies use lean manufacturing principles to improve product quality, delivery accuracy, customer service and satisfaction, and process efficiency. They also improve productivity, lead times, waste minimization, operating costs, employee satisfaction, inventory, supply chain, product development management, and business sustainability.
The Five Principles of Lean Manufacturing
Lean manufacturing is based on five principles that are underscored by the intent for continuous improvement:
- Identify value from the customer’s perspective. This requires a company to understand the value that customers apply to their products so they can identify how much a customer is willing to pay. Then, a company can seek to eliminate waste and cost from its business processes so that the customer can receive an optimal price and the company can achieve its highest possible profit.
- Map the value stream. This requires a company to analyze the flow of information and materials required to produce a product or service so that waste and anything that does not add value can be reduced or eliminated.
- Improve the flow by eliminating functional barriers to improve efficiency and identify ways to improve lead time.
- Establish a pull system. This means that a company will only start new work when there is demand for it.
- Pursue perfection with continual process improvements.
The Role of CNC Machining in Lean Manufacturing
CNC machining has become highly popular across a wide range of industries. It can contribute significantly to lean manufacturing practices for companies because it can offer high precision and improved production accuracy, high quantity production and scalability, production endurance, speed, a high degree of accuracy while minimizing waste, and enhanced production capabilities to produce complex products and shapes. It is capable of producing even the most complex parts. It is less dependent on human labor and thus is susceptible to fewer errors. And it offers lower production costs.
Choose a Highly Regarded CNC Machining Company
Contact Components By Design, based in Charlotte, NC. Components By Design, Inc. has over 15 years of experience with CNC routers and CAD / CAM software and exists to help your complex projects become simple. We offer a complete range of CNC routing services. From simple parts to complicated 3D machining, we can take on any project to add value to your product. We are experienced in machining parts from panel material and solid wood, PVC extruded sheets, acrylics, aluminum, and solid surfaces. Our CNC solutions are well-suited for cabinet makers, architectural woodworkers, building suppliers, sign makers, plastic fabricators, and more. If you can think of it, we can make it.