Label Organization

[garridy]

Currently, in the sub-assembly area of my company, we apply anywhere from 2 to 8 different labels on a sub-assembly. We print the labels and slip them into plastic baseball card pages which are inserted into a 3-ring binder.

This works for what we need, but I have a feeling that there is definitely a better way to organize the labels after they are printed. Also, I have noticed that the labels sometimes fall out of the binder when it is being handled by the workers.

Just thought I would put this out there and see if anyone had some ideas for improvement.

 

[StrykerTECH]

Why don't you just print them as you need them?
Sounds like a lot of waste storing them and then taking them out again.

StrykerTECH Engineering Staff

http://www.stryker-tech.com/

 

[garridy]

Right now we only have one label printer for the entire assembly area. We only produce about 2 units a day, so there isn’t enough volume to justify each subassembly station to have its own label printer.
I plan to keep the labels stocked and up to date at each station myself so the workers do not need to make trips to the printer to make more labels.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Why is there more than one label on a subassy?

I personally don't care, but you need to ask the question.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[garridy]

Each unit is fairly complicated and will need in field repairs and replacement. In addition, the designs are still being changed quite frequently, so it was deemed necessary to label many of the components with its part number and revision. This way the field technicians will know exactly what they are working with.

I'm hoping once the design becomes more solid, we can reduce the number of labels being used.

 

[hydtools]

Put the labels in bins, one for each label. Keep and restock the bins at the assembly station(s).

Ted

 

[StrykerTECH]

So you are labeling parts so that they know what to replace, if/when they need service.
Can you have the labels put on during the manufacturing of the parts?
Can you put all the labels on in one station?
Printing a label and maintaining stock is pure waste from a lean theorectical standpoint, 100% no value add. These are Kanban I hope you aren't actually tracking the inventory of each label. . . . you are just filling as needed.
If you know what you will be building for the day, can you just print the "days" labels?
Sorry for not just giving you an answer to your question, but there has to be a better way then taking up a bin with labels.

StrykerTECH Engineering Staff

http://www.stryker-tech.com/