Topic
Work in progress control on sewing lines: how much WIP is enough, bundle size and spotting bottlenecks.
4 notes
A bottleneck is the station that limits the output of the whole line. How to find it with WIP observation and capacity studies, the common reasons a station becomes a bottleneck, and practical ways to raise its output.
Lean means removing work that adds no value and making production flow. The eight wastes as they appear in cutting and sewing, the lean tools that work in garment factories, and a realistic order to start.
When a sewing line runs well below its planned efficiency, the cause is usually in a few places: the SMV, the balance, lost time, quality or people. A structured way to check each one and fix the biggest losses first.
Work in progress keeps a sewing line running, but too much hides problems and stretches lead time. How to measure WIP, set a sensible level per station, and control bundles on the floor.