ABSTRACT
Traditional lean practice focuses on the benefits to be derived from improving the mechanical flexibility of operations to transition more easily from one product to another. Due to the interaction between equipment and chemistry, some chemical plants experience an even greater need than mechanical plants for improved mechanical flexibility, while other process plants rarely experience it in a meaningful way. Despite differences among process manufacturers in their need for improved flexibility, the single minute exchange of dies (SMED) tool is appropriate to all chemical manufacturers because we can employ it to make a valuable contribution to maintenance and other mechanical work.
