SMED = Single-Minute Exchange of Die. A method of reducing production equipment retyping times.
The Rapid Change Program (SMED) aims to:
- To get that part of the machine's capacity that we lose by its long rebuilding.
- To ensure a quick transition from one type of product to another, thereby enabling production in small batches. Small-batch production offers greater flexibility and lower production complexity.
The change procedure is based on a thorough analysis of the adjustment, which is carried out by observation directly at the workplace. Radical shortening of adjustment times is gradually achieved by changing the organization, standardization of the adjustment procedure, team training, special aids and technical modifications of the machine. The SMED method is often also part of the TPM program.