Cardbox Engineering: Potential savings
Cardbox Engineering at Kurtz Ersa Automation
The Automation business unit has recently started offering cardbox workshops. What originally started with a trial project has quickly proven to be extremely useful for validating workplace systems. Customers experience their workplace environment on a 1:1 basis, and adjustments can be evaluated immediately.
“Cardbox Engineering” (CE) analyzes existing workflows and material flows and, using pragmatic tools, models conceivable solutions and makes them actually tangible. Designs can be tested, discussed and improved cost-effectively using this approach. It is a simple and fast form of simulation. With CE, ideas are implemented with simple means in a workshop character. The flexibility to adapt directly after initial testing is given at any time.
Another advantage of CE is that later operators and users are involved in the creation and creative process at an early stage and practical solutions are found. Workshop participants contribute arguments that are indispensable for system design. Expensive planning or design errors are reduced and a large part of the cost-intensive modifications after commissioning are eliminated. The workshop offers plenty of room for brainstorming and interaction. The result is a team effort, so acceptance of the outcome is high.
Cardbox Workshop: 20 to 50% savings potential
Through the Kurtz Ersa Card Box Workshop, inconsistencies in the process become visible and the material flow is fully and sustainably considered. The task is to create the most efficient work systems, taking into account proven lean principles. For example, Kurtz Ersa Automation analyzed two material flows of subassemblies for a well-known automotive supplier and created a new concept with an improved value stream.
Focus: Reduction of throughput times and ergonomics
Kurtz Ersa Automation optimized the complete value chain from upstream to the main process of soldering and downstream. The focus was on reducing throughput times and ergonomics, including a “test drive” on a 1:1 scale. The savings potential on the customer side is often 20 to 50% after completing Cardbox Workshops. The recommended group of participants generally included plant managers, team leaders, foremen and production employees, i.e. abstract and operationally thinking technical personnel.