Go with the Flow

The article discusses the role of parts cleaning in lean manufacturing. A cornerstone of lean manufacturing is the arrangement of production equipment and facilities into a configuration that allows for continuous flow of product. Removal of machine oils, stamping fluids, or other coatings are often required before a part can continue in the production process. Many companies use a central cleaning, or batch operation, which now runs counter to the continuous flow model of lean manufacturing. Parts cleaning equipmen manufacturers are now beginning to recognize the necessity to provide point-of-use, continuous flow equipment as evidenced.