Setup Time Reduction in a CNC Production Facility Through Redesign of Jigs and Fixtures

• Main Author: Lam, Pei Xian
• Format: Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: HD Industries. Land use. Labor; TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.utar.edu.my/2318/1/BIE%2D2016%2D1200135%2D1.pdf; http://eprints.utar.edu.my/2318/

Jigs and fixtures play an important role in manufacturing. Its function is to arrange the material in a definite position, so the machine tool is able to cut the required path on the workpiece. The case study of this research is conducted in Company “X”. One high demand product is “Y” which is the focus of this research. This product is consists of three machining steps, where the first step is the bottleneck. The existing problem for first step of product “Y” is setup time too long. Four techniques of setup time reduction were introduced in this research which are Kaizen, just-in-time (JIT), single minute exchange of dies (SMED), and jig and fixture design. The differences between each technique were explained to decide the best method for setup time reduction. A high demand product was selected for setup improvement. The setup procedures were studied carefully and analysed to identify underlying problems of current setup. After the new jig fabrication, an improved analysis was conducted again. Few suggestions were proposed in order to simplify or eliminate the bottleneck procedures. Time study of redesigned jig showed that the machine setup time was improved. Objectives of this research were achieved by redesigning the current jigs and fixtures. Three recommendations for future research are proposed in the last section of thesis.