A world made of metal


Parts Washers: Washing Parts in Manufacturing Cells - Just In Time

Cellular manufacturing has gained widespread
acceptance in the manufacturing industry. TheLarge batches of product will also be sitting
concept of breaking the plant floor intoat the parts washer, waiting for their time
smaller, more manageable sub units hasin the cleaning system. Parts that sit for
offered production supervisors thelong periods of time are more difficult to
opportunity to be more flexible in schedulingwash than those that enter the washer
and more disciplined in performingimmediately after they have been formed or
preventative maintenance tasks. These smallerground or bored. It is much more difficult
manufacturing units are able to accommodate ato break the surface tension of coolant,
wide range of product styles while remaininglubricant or oil when it has had time to dry
specialized in similar material. They canon the part rather than that which has been
also enable the manufacturer to producerecently applied. Idle time will result in a
prototype products, short run parts and makedecrease  of  quality  cleaning.
minor engineering design changes without
needing to affect other product lines.A central parts washer is also ill equipped
Neither do these cellular units halt or slowto efficiently perform its task. By using one
production of one unit to increase that ofwasher, all parts are forced through the same
another.system. This is not as effective as sending
the parts through a custom designed system to
While the cellular system increasesclean  one  specific  style  of  parts.
productivity, it can still be slowed if
cellular washing stations are notFinally, time is wasted moving parts to and
incorporated into the scheme. A central partsfrom manufacturing cells to the central parts
washer serving all cells is inefficient and awasher. This unnecessary movement will slow
waste of company resources. If a plantproduction rates and add unnecessary cost to
employs a central washer, they can expect tothe  project.
see  several  downsides.
The answer to this problem is the
First, there will be a glut of heavy,incorporation of small part specific washers
dangerous forklift traffic as parts areat each of the manufacturing cells.
transported to and from the washer. TheseInstallation of these washers will combat the
loads not only will take up floor space, butwastefulness of the central system as well as
will also require fork truck drivers who willresult  in  higher  quality  parts.
be a monetary drain on the company since fork
drivers only provide transport to and fromThe cells will be able to wash each part
the parts washer and the cost for theirimmediately after production. By doing this
service adds nothing to the value of thethe manufacturer eliminates wait time and
product.prevents lubricant from drying and becoming
very difficult to remove. These units also
Further, the parts will be transported insignificantly cut back on forklift traffic,
large bins that are contaminated with soil.making the plant floor a safer, less
Dirty parts are dumped into these bins. Thecongested area as well as reducing labor
dirt on the parts contaminates the bins.costs.
Clean parts are transported in these dirty
bins. This renders the washing processThus, the inventory of unwashed parts is
pointless since the clean parts are soiledeliminated, parts are cleaned more easily and
once again as soon as they are exposed to theparts are cleaned more effectively for lower
interior  of  a  dirty  transporting  bin.cost per piece.



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