Improving Process in the Manufacturing Enterprise Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Using the 5S

Abstract

Manufacturing Enterprise Laboratory (MEP) is a practicum facility in the University of Wisconsin Stout that has two business units, the classroom and the laboratory. The practicum starts with the product research and development done by class teams, which later form an enterprise that includes seven different departments, Executive leadership, finance and accounting, Human resource, marketing and sales, purchasing and inventory control, production and engineering, and quality assurance to facilitate the production of the agreed product. Each department has a manager and members who have specific roles and responsibilities. The enterprise production utilizes some of the lean manufacturing tool such as Just In time and check sheets, however, there are some ineffective production and wastage of resources. This study analyzes the current operations through observation, interview and survey with two enterprise groups. Then the 5S process was tailored to solve the problems the enterprises were facing. Alongside 5S process application, the research included visual management, value stream mapping, mistake proofing and Kaizen to improve the MEP laboratory process. The long-term goal is to eliminate waste, improve production process as we provide the students with a real time experience that’s applicable to their future career.