Meaning
Elapsed time between the last good part of one production run and the first good part of the next run defines the efficiency of a setup change. Reducing fixture changeover time is a primary goal for facilities that handle small batches of many different products. This metric includes the physical removal of tools and the installation of new ones.
Sequence Step
Preparation of the new fixtures occurs while the machine is still running the previous job to minimize the idle period. The fixture changeover time starts when the machine stops and includes the cleaning of the work area and the loading of the new software. Advanced facilities use standardized mounting points to speed up the physical alignment process.
Labor Requirement
Skilled technicians are needed to perform the calibration and verify that the new setup is accurate. A shorter fixture changeover time often requires a team of people working in a coordinated manner like a pit crew. The complexity of the fixture determines how many tools and measurements are needed to complete the transition safely.
Capacity Impact
High setup durations lock up expensive machinery and reduce the total number of parts a factory can produce in a week. When fixture changeover time is minimized, the facility can respond more quickly to changes in customer demand without holding large amounts of inventory. This flexibility allows for more frequent runs of different parts on the same line.
The cost of a slow changeover is the loss of revenue from machines that sit idle instead of cutting metal.
