ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on unique product transition challenges found in the process industries, and additional techniques that can be incorporated into the single-minute exchange of dies (SMED) methodology to deal with them. Developing a detailed process map and timing diagram is a good way to start a SMED activity. Potential SMED improvements should be shown on the future state value stream mapping, as shorter changeover times, as shorter every part every interval, as reduced inventory, and perhaps as reduced changeover losses. The SMED process should include people who are knowledgeable in heating and ventilating and in heat transfer, and in the physics and chemistry of baking processes. A SMED activity would, of course, address the die replacement and cleaning operations. Coating experts should be included in the SMED process, to examine causes of quality variation and to try to improve the physics of the coating application.
