This paper presents the development of a methodology to reduce the machine preparation time (changeover time) in volatile environments of the informatics and electronic contract manufacturing. The companies of this sector produce a large product variety characterized for a high aggregate value, short life cycle, and demand instability requiring flexibility to follow the dynamism of the market. Thus, the lean manufacturing seems to be a good alternative since its main characteristics are: continuous production flow, high quality level, low costs, and fast changes' introduction. The focus of this study is to reduce tool change time in a production line that uses the SMT (Surface Mount Technology). Time reduction is extremely important because it leads to the reduction of intermediate inventor, increases production flexibility with short lots and lead times, productivity increase, fast responses to improvements of the amount and production programming. The methodology used was the Action Research. The paper brings theoretical and practical contributions besides the application of the developed methodology in the contract manufacturing sector. The method developed allowed flexibility to respond to variety and volume changes resulting in considerable financial, productivity, and flexibility gains.
Changeover reduction; Lean manufacturing; Contract manufacturing
