The aim for this work has been to develop a new layout in the finished goods stock at AnVa Polytech AB in Sunne, Sweden. In this new layout the target was a single-order-flow using a roller conveyor. In the current situation there are two employees working on two different orders at the same time.
The objective of the work was to create a better working environment, better flow of material, minimize the numbers of unnecessary transports and to minimize the risk of disturbance.
By carrying out a number of observation of activities and drawing spaghetti charts over the workers movements during an compilation during a couple of weeks, you could see on what activity and where the workers spend the most time and see where there were most unnecessary movements. The observation of activities made clear that it was on compilation and movement the worker spend the most time. The spaghetti chart showed that the worker made a lot of small, unnecessary movements when going in and out of the forklift for different activities. Those activities were when they had to; print labels and flags to put on the compiled order, repacking or filling a box of material and wrap or string an order.
The design of the roller conveyor was made through a discussion with the supervisors at AnVa Polytech AB to find a solution that would shorten the length of the conveyor and create a smooth flow of material. The two machines that would be a part of the conveyor were placed right next to each other to minimize the length and avoid unnecessary transportation. The roller conveyor was also set to work as an interim storage. It was mad longer in the beginning and in the end of the roller conveyor to ease the stress for the employee working at the conveyor.
The new layout of the storage was made using a method of concept choice. The first part of the method was creating a number of concepts. The second part of the method was based of using two different matrices, one called elimination matrix and the second one relative decision matrix.
In the elimination matrix the different concept was put against each other comparing criterias. The base value of each criteria was set by the current layout of the storage. The ones with the best results proceeded to the relative decision matrix.
The relative decision matrix puts the best concepts from previous matrix against each other but with more in depth criteria. The one with the best result was the one being continued on.
The chosen layout was a configured version of the best concept from the matrices. This layout saved lots of space on the floor to create a safe working environment, good and a good flow of material. The storage shelves were placed to create a smooth flow for the truck without being disturbed by pedestrians from other parts of the facility moving in the storage. The roller conveyor was placed to facilitate the communication between the two workers in the storage to avoid any kind misunderstanding while compiling an order.
A measured drawing was created of the layout to make it easy to see were all the important parts in the storage were being placed to create the layout.