10.08.08
More On 5S – Color Coding Standards
5S is a lean manufacturing technique that has standards and visual communication as two of its fundamental building blocks. Visual communication is used to clearly identify storage locations for everything, so that everything has its proper place. This is typically done through color coding, as color provides the fastest and most accurate method of communicating this type of information. It’s very straight forward, a tool marked with a yellow label goes in the yellow storage location.
For this type of system to work there must be color coding standards. There is not standards setting organization for 5S, but a set of color coding standards have developed out of common usage. The advantage of using a common 5S color coding standard is that what is learned in one location transfers to other locations. This reduces the costs of training and helps improve compliance.
Graphic Products offers a one page quick reference guide to these 5S Color Coding Standards. It is available free. Use the following link to go to a page where you can order your copy:
10.07.08
5s – Business Helper In Tough Times
How do you become more competitive? You’ve cut costs, but your customers are demanding more cuts and your suppliers are demanding more money. You’re caught in the middle. A valuable step is to improve your operations using lean manufacturing techniques and an easy starting point, with quick results is 5S.
What is 5S? It is a systematic approach to streaming and getting organized. It uses a lot of common sense and simple principles, but you can’t just haphazardly plunge into 5S and expect great results. A good way to learn about 5s is through a free guide offered by label printer manufacturer Graphic Products. Their 5S Guide provides a good overview of 5S and its benefits. You can quickly become acquainted with 5S and determine whether it is right for your company.
5S is a five step process in which each of the steps is named using a word beginning with the letter “S”. It starts with “sweeping,” which means to clean up. But the word “sweeping” was only chosen because it starts with “S.” 5S involves much more than sweeping. It is a thorough cleaning of both your facility, machines and equipment. What’s the advantage of cleaning? Combined with the other four steps in 5S it helps reduce maintenance costs and equipment down time. It boosts quality and productivity. It improves safety. Get the free 5S Guide and find out how 5S does all this more.
