Machine set-up operation improvement for power cable manufacturing

Abstract

The objective of this study was to improve machine set up operation for power cable manufacturing which was emphasized to reduce set up time. The study was to select the factory, which produces the power cable in Thailand, as the case study. The section of Jacket process was chosen for studying a machine set-up time. The man-machine interaction operation was analyzed using the principle of work study. The improvement methods, proposed in this study were to (1) separate the operation of the machine set-up preparation from part changing operation (2) relocate tool cabinet near to the work place (3) arrange spare parts before machine set up and (4) do work simplification and standard. The methods proposed were implemented and evaluated. The results of the study found that the machine set up time decreased with 60% of existing total set up time. And also scraps, occurred during machine set up time were decreased that (1) over flow scrap was decreased from 15.69% to 10.93% for machine no. Ex-302 and from 24.09% to 13.74% for machine no. Ex-303 and (2) start adjust scrap reduced from 36.50% to 24.29% for machine no. Ex-302 and from 31.09% to 27.17% for machine no. Ex-303.