400 Positions in Creform’s Kanban Station
Station acts as a scheduling system for lean and just-in-time production, facilitating faster manufacturing turnarounds in production and lower inventory levels.
Posted: March 6, 2020
Creform Corporation (Greer, SC) has developed a new single-sided Kanban Station that acts as a scheduling system for lean and just-in-time production. Creform engineers worked with their long-time automotive supplier customer to design the station and to provide an assembled structure. The customer requested that this unique structure be professionally built and didn’t have the manpower available.
The station, measuring 74″ W x 24″ D x 87″ T, carries a total of up to 400 individual positions, eight rows of 50 Kanban slots oriented vertically. The plastic, modular slots that hold the Kanban cards interlock with one another and can be oriented in either the vertical or horizontal positions. Kanban cards are a key component of Kanban. They signal the need to move materials within a manufacturing or production facility or move materials from an outside supplier into the production facility. The Kanban card is, in effect, a message that signals a depletion of product, parts, or inventory – when received, the Kanban will trigger the replenishment of that product, part, or inventory.
In the station pictured, each single Kanban slot is 5/8″ W x 6 ¼” D x 4″ T, but they’re easily resized. Spacers are available to create wider slot openings if the need arises. The spacers can create wider slot openings and can double the slot size from 5/8″ wide to 1 ¼” for added versatility. Slot caps, that easily snap in and out, are also available to provide a labeling surface or just to block off a certain position.
The Creform structure is built with rugged plastic-coated steel pipes and metal joints ideal for use in manufacturing/industrial environment. As needs change, the user can dismantle the unit, recycle the components and reconfigure the structure. If damaged, the Creform system can be quickly repaired rather than replaced.
Supported by 4 four-inch swivel casters for mobility, the wheels allow for easy movement for housekeeping or relocation, while two of the wheels feature locks to hold the structure in position.
Magnetic white board panels along the sides and over the top of the structure are for added signage and is ideal to hold magnetic tags or to hand write specific titles or notes. The pipe shown is marine blue, but many pipe and panel colors are available.
The Creform System is used to create an array of material handling and efficiency enhancing devices and is a proven component in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing programs. The company partners with customers in developing and implementing these programs.
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