Operational Efficiency Improvement of Ply Cutting Machine for Aircraft Tires

Abstract

This research focuses on the operational efficiency improvement of ply cutting machines for aircraft tires by implementing the design of experiments (DOE) and Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) methods to decrease loss time caused by machine stoppages found at let-off and splicer processes. The problem comes from high loss time because the system's parameters are not set properly and high setup time of the machine. Therefore, the operations efficiency improvement has been conducted by setting a suitable flow rate at the splicer and changing activities of the operator in order to reduce waiting time. Improved efficiency is implemented in the Ply cutting machine from July 2018 to August 2018. The result shows the increase in the average production from 23 rolls/shift to 28 rolls/shift. Furthermore, a cost saving for efficiency improvement is equal to 36M baht per year.