Evaluating value streams to achieve lean production in large assembly manufacturing systems utilizing virtual enterprise relationships

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate value streams in large assembly manufacturing systems, such as shipbuilding, aerospace and offshore production, in order to propose a framework by which to achieve lean principles in the whole operation, including development of owner's requirements, design, material identification and handling, manufacturing, and finally delivery. The main focus will be placed on reducing the cycle time of the whole process, which will bring maximum benefit to all customers, whether internal or external, while simultaneously producing cost reduction and quality improvement. To achieve this, the value stream along the whole operation is analyzed to eliminate all wastes tin terms of labor, material, facility, information and time). The outcome is a reorganization of the essential, value creating activities into the most efficiently sequenced and streamlined processes, producing a system of continuous flow of the processes along the value stream, in terms of both material and information flow, without any unnecessary interruption or waiting.