ABSTRACT
Two-bin systems are an effective Kanban method for handling small parts and hardware. The great thing about a two-bin system is that you do not need to create Kanban cards. In a work area, each part using the two-bin system has two bins for storage. Each bin has the same amount of inventory. An operator simply works out of one bin at a time; when that bin becomes empty, the entire bin is placed in a replenish drop or area. The empty bin is the Kanban as the bins contain a label with all the required information that you would find on a Kanban card. Two full bins represent the maximum quantity desired in the work area; the second bin is the minimum, so when the bin is empty, the worker has reached the minimum. It is now time to order. The operator then continues to work out of the second bin as the first one is replenished. It is also good to install some form of a communication light that can be turned on to signal to a material handler that there is an empty bin to be picked up.
