Challenge

I work  on the floor as a machinist in a large machine shop, producing parts for tools in the  semiconductor industry. I work with a large variety of materials on a daily basis, including exotic metals,  steels, and a very large variety of plastics. Due to the great variance in materials used daily, we have the  need for a variety of many different tools to be used at any given time for each particular application.  Due to the need for these tools on-demand, it is critical we have the correct tool on hand and organized  at all times .The challenge we’re having is organization of these tools, and making sure they are on hand  when needed. Another problem we were having was that there were only a few people keeping track of  the tools for everyone and trying to keep inventory up to the need of everyone.

Selection

The tool I chose for our challenge was the learning launch tool. We will be able to do a small  experiment, test an idea, and learn and improve on it.

Application

We started doing our research and data gathering by talking to the people on the floor that were  directly involved as they use these tools on a daily basis and have experienced the frustration of not  having what is required at the time they need it. After gathering everyone’s input and getting a general  agreement, we decided to locate all the tooling in one central area, labeled for easy identification, and  accessible to everyone. After trying this experiment for a short time, it was obvious this wasn’t the  correct solution to our problems. The few people that were in charge of maintaining it were not able to  keep constant attention to it, resulting in incorrect inventory and even more inventory being used. After  another round of brainstorming, we came up with a new solution. We would use a vending machine,  which will keep continuous inventory on hand by using automatic re-ordering , have the correct amount  of inventory, eliminating the over usage of tooling, and everyone would still have individual access to it,  checking out the tooling they need. It worked very well and is still being used.

Insight and Approach

What I have learned from using the learning launch tool is that it was very effective in our application,  due to the ability to experiment with different ideas to see which one fits our needs. It also gave the  stakeholders the ability to have complete input into the final solution. This would be the tool I would use  again in our situation, as it has the flexibility and requirements needed for our challenge


Challenge I work on the floor as a machinist in a large machine shop , producing parts for tools in the semiconductor industry . I work with a large variety of materials on a daily basis , including exotic metals , steels , and a very large variety of plastics . Due to the great variance in materials used daily , we have the need for a variety of many different tools to be used at any given time for each particular application . Due to the need for these tools on - demand , it is critical we have the correct tool on hand and organized at all times .The challenge we ’re having is organization of these tools , and making sure they are on hand when needed . Another problem we were having was that there were only a few people keeping track of the tools for everyone and trying to keep inventory up to the need of everyone . Selection The tool I chose for our challenge was the learning launch tool . We will be able to do a small experiment , test an idea , and learn and improve on it . Application We started doing our research and data gathering by talking to the people on the floor that were directly involved as they use these tools on a daily basis and have experienced the frustration of not having what is required at the time they need it . After gathering everyone ’s input and getting a general agreement , we decided to locate all the tooling in one central area , labeled for easy identification , and accessible to everyone . After trying this experiment for a short time , it was obvious this was n’t the correct solution to our problems . The few people that were in charge of maintaining it were not able to keep constant attention to it , resulting in incorrect inventory and even more inventory being used . After another round of brainstorming , we came up with a new solution . We would use a vending machine , which will keep continuous inventory on hand by using automatic re - ordering , have the correct amount of inventory , eliminating the over usage of tooling , and everyone would still have individual access to it , checking out the tooling they need . It worked very well and is still being used . Insight and Approach What I have learned from using the learning launch tool is that it was very effective in our application , due to the ability to experiment with different ideas to see which one fits our needs . It also gave the stakeholders the ability to have complete input into the final solution . This would be the tool I would use again in our situation , as it has the flexibility and requirements needed for our challenge