We all want the best in life, the best for our family, success, and work. That is why we need to Value Stream mapping. It helps anyone to visualize and analyze the entire flow of a product from start to finish. It helps us to determine waste and opportunities for the future. Technology has come a long way from the speqqueti diagram, and we can now pair 3D scanning to our VSM. 3D scanning complements VSM by providing highly accurate digital models of a physical workflow. It sheds new light on everyday work.
Before we get into the power of 3D scanning, let’s examine VSM. We take a product line and capture its current state. We gather and analyze data and design a better future state. We work to eliminate manufacturing waste such as (waiting, excess motion, etc). VSM is highly valuable and able to successful organizations for current and future growth.
Now, we take the power of VSM, and we enhance that with 3D scanning. 3D scanning can capture a high-resolution, 360 view of a process or product line. We scan the physical workflow so that we can make real-time, high-quality digital twins of the workplace. VSM in the traditional is 2D drawing, manual data collection vs the 3D with, as the name applies, is 3D, digital, automatic data collections that allow for us to make changes faster. We can digitally model an environment with accurate dimensions and lay that out for a guaranteed fit. Anytime we can improve accuracy and reduce manual effort and/or human error, we can have better collaboration.
A big benefit of 3D scanning is identifying waste in a physical process. This can include reaves in hidden inefficiency in a material flow or workstation layout. We can see and identify this is Excessive motion. We can map a process on paper, but we can’t get the distance it takes. While with a 3D scan, we can physically see and capture that data. We are also able to see bottlenecks in 3D compared to just a symbol. We have a detailed image of the bottleneck. Lastly, we can see defects/rework taking place. We can acknowledge them in 2D, we can see them in 3D.
When it comes to 3D, we can truly optimize a workflow with the power of VSM and 3D scanning. We can optimize production line efficiency by using 3D models. We can test and simulate different flow scenarios with ease. We can allow everyone to be heard and try their scenario. We can also try adding opportunities for improvement, such as automation without adding automation.
One common need we hear today is the need for space. VSM can definitely help solve that. VSM + 3D scanning can solve that. As we create a digital twin, we can optimize a layout with accurate dimensions. We can test different layouts virtually before we physically move them and know if they will work. Optimizing worker safety, accessibility, and space utilization is always a win in manufacturing.
Conclusions
VSM is a powerful tool in itself that can help us visualize and analyze a product line or plant. VSM, with the power of a 3D Scan, can help us to accelerate and achieve greater benefits than just VSM alone by allowing for more visual, capturing accurate measurements/data, and allowing more real-time adjustments. Call CIFT today to discuss your VSM and 3D scanning needs