A 5S Lean Strategy for a Sustainable Welding Process

The correct performance of the welding processes used to join metal parts or structural elements is considered to be of vital importance to guarantee the reliability of these products during their useful lives. Adequate workstation design ensures a safe environment in which an operator can perform these processes correctly. In order to guarantee the quality of welding seams, which are used to join metal parts and structural elements, a series of standards have been developed; these standards establish requirements to guarantee the correct performance of welding processes, and the inspection of the metal welds obtained. The 5S methodology has proven to be a valid tool for improving workplaces in industrial and service activities; it is a capstone methodology when companies implement lean production approaches. This work presents a framework for applying the 5S methodology in metal welding workplaces. It defines an index to evaluate the degree of implementation of the 5S methodology, and the application of the important performance analysis methodology (IPA). Fuzzy logic is used to treat the uncertainty in evaluating the different evaluation indicators proposed. This framework is applied to a real practical case, to provide an example of its use in establishing good manufacturing practices that guarantee compliance with the requirements of welding standards, and guaranteeing the correct handling and storage of the materials and tools used in welding processes for the manufacture of welded parts and structural elements.