ABSTRACT
Improvement means the elimination of waste, and the most essential precondition for improvement is the proper pursuit of goals. Eliminating waste means improving procedures that are too broadly or generally defined in terms of goals. Just as grasping a physical object requires that it be seen in front, top, and side views, goals must be pursued along three dimensions, X, Y, and Z. The key to improvement lay in following through with goal pursuit, by asking what was really involved in heating the syrup instead of assuming that all that was required was to pack in cans and blow in hot air. The tea processing plant adopted a method in which moisture is added in the form of mist, and heat is supplied in the form of hot air. Interlocking in automation means to assure safety by verifying the completion of one motion before moving on to the next motion.
