Track: Case Studies

Abstract

The project consists of analyzing and improving the process of a small business, which produces potato sticks, with the central objective of increase productivity, eliminating waste and reducing the bottleneck. To carry out the studies, a flowchart of the processes present throughout the company was created, in order to make a chronological analysis, a tool that aims to analyze the execution times of the activities that involve the production process, followed by a VSM (Value Stream Mapping). The Value Stream Mapping is an ideal way to determine the waste involved in the process, and to point out the processes with improvements, such as identifying the main problems to be addressed. After studies of the processes, it was identified as the main bottleneck of the production line, since the process time was longer in the company's lead time. With the aid of the FlexSim software, simulations were carried out on the processes and identified as possible to improve the layout, reduce the travel time for operators and products. The layout change allows to optimize the process, use the best operators and implement belts between manufacturing lines, positively impacting the process times of the furnaces, consequently reducing the execution time, increasing the productivity and waste reducing.