{"id":13608,"date":"2025-06-18T09:08:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/tlssc-preview3\/?p=13608"},"modified":"2025-08-28T14:26:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T13:26:07","slug":"streamlining-machine-settings-for-efficiency-in-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/uk\/library\/streamlining-machine-settings-for-efficiency-in-packaging\/","title":{"rendered":"Streamlining Machine Settings for Efficiency in Packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"
This project aimed to optimize machine settings for a packaging department in the consumer goods industry. By applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies, specifically the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) approach, the team targeted a pressing issue that disrupted production and increased costs: excessive adjustments to the machine\u2019s servo-driven settings. This project illustrates how Lean Six Sigma tools can provide solutions to complex manufacturing problems while achieving significant cost savings and efficiency gains.<\/p>\n
The project team focused on a packaging machine that reverted to default settings after every batch load. Each batch required an average of six additional adjustments, adding time and resources to ensure the equipment operated correctly. This problem not only hampered productivity but also frustrated team members who constantly dealt with interruptions. Following discussions with a project sponsor and department managers, the goal was set to reduce these manual adjustments by 75%, which would allow the machine to run with minimal intervention.<\/p>\n
A critical success factor in this Lean Six Sigma project was forming a well-balanced team with individuals who understood both the machine operations and the broader goals. The team included experienced operators from each shift and a formulation manager. Including operators in the process proved to be strategic, as their insights into daily operations provided essential data that helped guide the project\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n
Assembling the team required careful consideration of team roles, leadership dynamics, and individual motivation levels. Early on, it became apparent that including operators from different shifts would foster cross-team understanding and bring a range of perspectives on the machine\u2019s behavior. Their input was valuable, as they had a direct stake in the project\u2019s success and were instrumental in identifying operational inefficiencies. Lean Six Sigma projects emphasize teamwork and engagement, and this project reinforced that including front-line workers adds depth to the problem-solving process.<\/p>\n
The DMAIC structure guided the project, helping to break down complex issues into manageable phases. To identify root causes of the excessive machine adjustments, the team applied several Lean Six Sigma tools:<\/p>\n
One of the practical challenges faced during the project was coordinating meeting times with production schedules. Allocating time for operators to participate in the project meetings was essential, but it could not interfere with ongoing production. To overcome this, the team carefully scheduled sessions during machine downtime and worked closely with shift coordinators. These adjustments ensured minimal disruption to production while maintaining the momentum of the project.<\/p>\n
Another challenge was gaining alignment with external stakeholders, such as quality control personnel and an in-house pharmacist. When attempting to modify a cleaning checklist as part of the broader machine maintenance plan, the project team faced initial resistance from the pharmacist, who felt the adjustments didn\u2019t pertain to cleaning procedures. Through open dialogue, a compromise was reached by adding a reference in the checklist to a supplementary work instruction. This experience highlighted the importance of clear communication and the need for compromise when implementing procedural changes that affect various departments.<\/p>\n
The project culminated in an end-of-project assessment meeting, where the team measured and validated the final results. By standardizing machine settings and reducing manual adjustments, the team achieved a dramatic reduction in interventions per batch, from an average of 6 to approximately 0.78. This improvement surpassed the original goal, delivering an estimated $15,000 in annual savings and freeing up operator time to focus on other tasks.<\/p>\n
This result had significant implications for the packaging department:<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the project, team members highlighted several critical insights:<\/p>\n
This Green Belt project demonstrated the transformative potential of Lean Six Sigma within manufacturing operations. By following the DMAIC approach, using reliable data, and fostering open communication among departments, the project team was able to achieve a substantial improvement in machine efficiency and reduce costly adjustments. The success of this project serves as a testament to the value of Lean Six Sigma methodologies in tackling industry-specific challenges, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and delivering quantifiable results.<\/p>\n
For those considering their own Lean Six Sigma project, this experience underlines the importance of structured problem-solving tools, data-driven decisions, and the commitment to continuous improvement that Lean Six Sigma embodies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In the fast-paced world of consumer goods manufacturing, small inefficiencies can lead to significant costs. That\u2019s why a 12-month Green Belt project in the packaging department set out to address a persistent challenge: the need for excessive manual adjustments on a servo-driven machine after each batch change.<\/p>\n
Using Lean Six Sigma\u2019s DMAIC framework, the cross-functional team, comprising operators and a formulation manager, dove into the root causes of the issue. The machine’s tendency to reset to default settings was costing valuable time, frustrating staff, and eroding productivity. With a goal to reduce these adjustments by 75%, the team employed tools like Fishbone Diagrams, FMEA, and Measurement System Analysis to uncover and address the problem at its source.<\/p>\n
The results? A staggering drop in manual interventions per batch, from six down to under one. This improvement translated into an estimated $15,000 in annual savings and freed up operator time for other critical tasks. Just as importantly, the project fostered a sense of ownership and engagement among staff, proving that inclusive teamwork and data-driven problem solving go hand in hand.<\/p>\n
This case exemplifies the power of Lean Six Sigma to unlock hidden efficiencies and foster a culture of continuous improvement, even in the most routine operational settings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107,"featured_media":13611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[160,159,150,131,127,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fishbone-diagram","category-fmea","category-dmaic-project","category-green-belt","category-industry","category-lean-six-sigma-topics"],"yoast_head":"\n