Controls News 13
10
Main theme: Lean automation |
Structure
A chain has maximum openness and flexibility
when all its links are open. But these qualities are a
disadvantage in a lean added value chain. If anyone
can hook-up without binding guidelines and con-
trols for technical property standards, the contract
will be awarded to the cheapest service provider or
production firm.
The lean added value chain
It takes a lot more than a single purchase and delivery transaction before operational
automation systems start to generate value for their owners. Systems are neither
consumables nor commodities. It is much more a question of a chain of several
companies that has to hold together for a long time.
Author: Jürgen Lauber
An operator or owner just hooks him-
self up anywhere, or is himself hooked.
If in the added value chain everything
is left to chance, in extreme cases there
may be just one link in the chain. The
operator is then hooked to a sole sup-
plier. Or a big weighty company hooks
itself on to a «fat» added value chain,
and brings everything down with its
own weight.
The combined performance and efficiency of up-
stream links in the added value chain ultimately
determine its inherent performance. All potential
defects and weaknesses must be remedied in their
own context. If the links in the chain do not fit to-
gether properly, the chain becomes too heavy or
unstable. That’s why it’s important in lean automa-
tion structures that upstream links are selected with
care. During tendering, suppliers should be limited
to qualified, reputable firms that are a good match
for your company. If the upstream companies are
lean, you are much more likely to end up with a
completely lean chain. It’s also important that in-
dividual links in the chain are sound and sustain-
able for the long term. Since, like companies, tasks
and requirements also change, they should not be
welded, but instead remain always detachable as
needed. This necessitates the appropriate technical
foundations, as described in the «Lean Technology»
chapter. It is advisable to work only with products
that are sold as part of a solid, stable but detachable
added value chain. The Saia® PCD is an example of
such a product.
Look for solid, sustainable
and adaptable partners
when creating your added
value chain.
Unwieldy «non-lean» added value chains
often draw you in with a «slender» hook-up
interface. The «fat end» brings everything
crashing down...
A totally open link in the chain
is flexible but not reliable.
A stable chain is great,
but you don’t want to be
chained up for ever!
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