In the pressured environment of a fast moving automotive assembly line every second counts. Rudolph and Hellmann Automotive was able to reduce Takt time and the pace of the manufacturing line through sequencing the separate components required for airbags.
This wasn't as simple as it may sound as the airbag components include small explosive charges used to fire the system into action. Which meant there needed to be a full risk assessment including a COSHH health and safety audit.
The key benefits to the manufacturer were that the line operation could be focused on assembly, not picking, as the time taken to collate the right components was minimised because they were now pre collated line side. This also meant the risk of breakages was passed to Rudolph and Hellmann Automotive, so exposure to cost was reduced further. Finally, the manufacturer had transferred a fixed cost to a dynamic cost which can be instantly 'turned off.'
The change has enabled the operator to access the right components for the specific vehicle in a single action and has reduced assembly time.
