Lean manufacturing · Kaizen
The PDCA cycle: the order behind Kaizen
Plan, do, check, act. Where each step of the cycle sits in an improvement record.
13 October 2026 · 1 min
SMED: four steps to shorter changeovers
Separate internal and external work, convert internal to external, streamline the rest. How a SMED study is run.
3 October 2026 · 1 min read
SMED (single-minute exchange of die) is a method for shortening the time a machine stands still when switching from one product to another. Short changeovers make small batches and lower inventory possible.
Four steps
- Observe: record the changeover end to end, timing each step.
- Separate: split work that must happen with the machine stopped (internal) from work that can happen while it runs (external).
- Convert: move internal work outside; prepare fixtures in advance.
- Streamline: shorten remaining internal work with quick connections, standard heights and similar.
No SMED without measurement
On the time study screen each step is timed with a stopwatch and marked internal or external. Before and after measurements sit side by side; the gain can be linked to a Kaizen record with the company's gain type.
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