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Article: Getting automation right with JIT. (just-in-time principles)
- Article from:
- Assembly
- Article date:
- November 1, 1993
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Applying Just-In-Time principles first can help manufacturers avoid costly automation mistakes.
In today's competitive world, many companies are turning to automation as a way to survive. Pressures to reduce process cost and time, while increasing quality and customer service, are increasing faster than ever before. Visions of "lights-out" factories with shiny equipment running smoothly, and low payrolls, are compelling as the answer.
Automation alone can be a costly mistake. However, using Just-In-Time principles first will help automate only the right things.
Here's an example. A company makes widgets consisting of three subassemblies built ...