Originally Posted by dlundblad
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Kanban now refers to lean manufacturing and JIT process.
Originally it referred to delivering materials to the mfg line in a specialized box and "kanban" cards.
Rather than bringing, say 36 pieces of a material, a box was built with 36 (or whatever) compartments.
Workers did not have to count; they just filled the box and delivered it to the line.
When materials were needed on the line, a worker pulled a "kanban" card to signal the need.
If anybody ever gets an opportunity to tour a Toyota manufacturing facility, I highly recommend it. We toured the Camry plant in Kentucky a few years ago and it was very enjoyable and informative. You actually ride on a trolly thing throughout the factory floor.
I've toured the F150 plant in Dearborn. Also cool, but not as up close. All of it is seen from a cat walk and you don't see as much as you did at Toyota. Rolls of steel getting stamped and welded all the way to the guys with the white gloves checking for defects.
I toured NUMMI twice. Corollas and Geos rolling off the lines like crazy. Toyota Pickups as well.
Tesla gives tours, but only for owners.
I have 3 cars from there: '65 4-4-4 (I have the build sheet), 1993 Toyota 4WD PU (350K miles and still in service) and our Tesla Model 3.