Use the Line Balancing - Process Map form to compare the cycle time for multiple operations on a process map against the takt time. If you enter a value in the optional What-If Cycle Time column, the tool compares this cycle time to both the original cycle time and to the takt time.
This analysis is useful when you try to balance either a cell or a sequential series of process steps. It highlights the waste of waiting.
Guidelines
- Although daily production is likely to be the same for each operation, they can differ, for example, when machines feed multiple lines.
- Ideally, cycle times should be similar and should be at, or slightly below, takt time.
- If you want to use this tool to balance a line for a proposed cell, you must first create or edit a process map to include those steps.
How-to
Note
This form requires takt time.
- Complete the header.
- To add operations, hold the pointer on the column, click the add/delete button, and then choose Select Existing Activities. Minitab Workspace calculates the cycle time and the takt time for each operation and shows the results in a bar chart.
- Enter "what-if" cycle times for the operations, and then view a bar chart that compares the actual values and the what-if values.
- (Optional) If daily production is different for each operation, you can enter it in the table.
- (Optional) Under Summary, you can enter a description of the what-if changes or suggest future activities.
For more information, go to Insert and fill out a form.