SMED (single minute of Exchange OF those, dt.: Tool change within the one-digit minute range) marks a procedure, which is to reduce the preparation time of a production machine. A goal is it, without disturbing the manufacturing river to reequip the machine on a new manufacturing process.

Was developed the procedure of Shigeo Shingo, which as external advisors considerably in the development Toyota of the production system (TPS) was involved.

Conversion: In several iterative steps the preparation time is improved by organizational measures. Larger investments become, if at all, only at a very late time transacted.

Substantial element during the conversion is it to divide preparation procedures into internal and external steps.

• Internal steps can be accomplished only with stop of the machine (e.g. tool change)
• External steps can be accomplished, if the machine still (e.g. supply of the tools and Vorprodukte) produces.

SMED runs off in four steps:

• Separation from internal and external preparation procedures
• Transfer of internal into external preparation procedures
• Optimization and standardisation of internal and external preparation procedures
• Removal of adjustment procedures

These steps are repeated gone through, until the preparation time lies in the one-digit minute range.

For optimization different techniques are used, e.g.:

• Use of clamps instead of screws
• Sliding tables instead of cranes
• separate preheating
• Intermediate tighteners for adjustment outside of the machine
• Parallelism of preparation procedures - simultaneous instead of successively - i.e. instead of, several coworkers use
• Elimination of adjustments
• Mechanization
• Standardisation of preparation activities

Advancements of the SMED procedure are:

• Zero Changeover: Re-equipment within three minutes
• OTED (= One Touch Exchange OF): Reequip by an arm movement

See also

• Toyota production system
• Slim management
• one piece flow

Related links

• Elements of the TOYOTA production system

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