The Line from OCM Manufacturing
Welcome to the Spring 2010 issue of The Line - the electronics manufacturing resource for OEMs producing low- and mid-volume products.
Feature Story
Lean AND Agile at OCM Manufacturing
 Lean manufacturing is the practice of eliminating waste in the manufacturing process, where “waste” is defined as any aspect of the process that does not contribute directly to customer value. While the concept has been around for 60 years (starting with the Toyota Production System (TPS)), Lean expectations have only recently begun to trickle down to low- to mid-volume, high-mix (LVHM) manufacturing service providers.
A challenge for LVHM contract manufacturers (like OCM Manufacturing) who wish to adopt Lean principles is that one of our core value adds is flexibility. Our business is characterized by numerous customers and varied product types that require frequent process set-up changes and diverse materials inventories. Agility has always been one of our most valuable assets, but it runs somewhat counter to the strict adherence of any process control standard, including Lean.
However, as many organizations have discovered, TSP is not a once-size-fits-all methodology. Rather, it must be tailored to fit a particular industry or company. At OCM, we believe that it is possible to be both Lean AND agile, and we have begun to pursue a lean initiative. After successfully completing our first Kaizen event, we are confident that we can become one of the world’s first Lean contract manufacturers (CM) of LVHM products.
Given our track record of successful innovation, we have every reason to be positive. We were the first CM in the region to be lead-free ready, we are a 90% paperless operation, and we were the first to provide managed offshore CM services to smaller OEMs and LVHM product lines.
Coupled with the expansion of our manufacturing operations (a second SMT line and full-system assembly services will be online in Q3), we are improving our capabilities, capacity, service levels and cost structures to benefit you.
For more information, contact Kenneth Roots. kenneth.roots@ocmmanufacturing.com
Hot Topic
Guidelines for Design of Metal Fabrication & Mechanical Assembly Operations
As a full turnkey EMS provider, OCM provides complete system or sub-system assembly – otherwise known as box-build service. Our experience providing these services across a wide range of products and industries has yielded a number of best practices when designing metal and mechanical sub-assemblies.
Following these guidelines will reduce the risk of unforeseen manufacturing expenses.
Some general best practices in this area include:
- For higher-volume parts, consider castings, extrusions or other volume manufacturing processes to reduce machining and in–machine time
- Consult with manufacturing/your EMS provider to determine and design for solid mounting or other fixture-locating features on the component
- Design around standard cutters, drill bit sizes or other tools
- Avoid this:
- Thin walls, thin webs, or similar features – these result in distortions during manufacturing
- Undercuts– these will require special operations & tools
- Small holes and threaded features – these increase the likelihood of tool breakage and part scrap
A comprehensive set of guidelines – and the reasons for each – are now available online at:
http://www.ocmmanufacturing.com/resources/tip_view.cfm?id=28
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In This Issue
Feature Story: Lean AND Agile
Hot Topic: Guidelines for Design of Metal Fabrication & Assembly Operations
Featured Resource
Manufacturing Outsourcing: Seven Common Pitfalls to Avoid – by Symphony Consulting and Arena Solutions
Download the PDF »
Archives
Don't forget that you can view past issues of The Line on the OCM website.
Go to past issues »
Good Reading
The Value of Small (or not too big) – This article warns of the dangers of manufacturing with Tier-1 or Tier-2 EMS providers creates for OEMs of low- to mid-volume products.
Read the story online >
Contact OCM Manufacturing
OCM Manufacturing Inc.
2183 Thurston Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1G 6C9
Phone: 613-736-5665
Toll Free Phone: 800-268-3961
Fax: 613-736-5525
info@ocmmanufacturing.com
www.ocmmanufacturing.com |
