b'Cut Not Cutting implementing this concept can re-quire a cultural shift away from tra-ditional methods like indicating parts or dialing in fixtures and making chips. In the end, we im- toward developing more proac-proved productivity so much thattive fixture designs that utilize sub-we were able to reduce cuttingplates and similar quick-change de-speeds and feed rates to save ad- vices, thereby reducing setup times ditional costs by extending tooland returning machines to produc-life. To accomplish this gain, we im- tion sooner.proved our inspection processes,Adding pallets to a machine also enhanced tool life management in- can reduce noncutting time by al-volving redundant tools and addedlowing setup and changeover to part probing to eliminate manualoccur while the machine operates. setup. The result was a first-yearAt Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Sys-savings of $300,000. tems Americas Inc., we machine Single-minute exchange of die isour combustion hardware after a Toyota Production System con- fabrication. These parts are diffi-cept that many shops have adopted.cult to hold; sometimes it can take The idea is to change fixtures andover an hour to clamp and align a tools as fast as possible becausepart. Machining cycles are lengthy, the time spent changing does notand completing one part can take add value to a part. For small shops,longer than a shift. By purchasing 46MARCH 2020Palletization.indd 46 2/14/20 6:01 PM'