AboutAaron Overbeek Expertise I am a Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Lean Champion. My expertise ranges from tacticle (local) implementation to strategic (global) implementation of Lean Six Sigma. Also knowledgable in Best Manufacturing Practices, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and EH&S. I am not a consultant and do not mind follow up questions.
Experience Bachelors of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Michigan. Lean Champion and Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and ISO audetation.
Director of Operational Excellence and Strategic Sourcing for multi-billion dollar corporation.
Question Hi Aaron
We are in the middle of developing quality system processes that lay out how manufacturing process development should take place. The question I have is when a part is designed with knowledge of its process steps, what should happen next? Process drawings created first or process plan first? Simple case could be a molded part outsourced with no additional processing besides flash removal etc. A complicated case could be a forged or die-casted part that needs say machining, heat treating and plating finish. The supply chain is a combination in house and outsource. Another case would be the finished part is outsourced to a single supplier. (Do we need a process drawing in this case?)
Thanks in advance and hope my information is clear enough.
Answer A process drawing is always recommended. When you process draw/map out the manufacturing process, you will be able to drive improvement activities back to the design centers. It will also identify sources of waste in the manufacturing process (if you are outsourcing) that will reduce the standard cost to build (i.e. if you have any double steps like lathing after a drilling step and again after plating). This is the base of Design for Six Sigma. Producing the process drawing does take time, but if you use it to identify sources of variation or waste in the manufacturing process, you should be able to see cost savings in the long run.
