Lean Supply Chain Management Essentials

172 Lean suppLy ChaIn ManageMent essentIaLs

autonomously, without being monitored by an operator. is eliminates the need for oper-

ators to continuously watch machines and leads in turn to large productivity gains because

one operator can handle several machines, often termed multiprocess handling.

—Lean Lexicon, 4th edition

One misperception is that autonomation means robotics. Most Toyota facilities

lack robotics, and typically they are only used in areas where there are safety or quality

concerns. For example, most automakers use robotics in their paint rooms to eliminate

the exposure to dangerous fumes. Additionally, automation can aid in quality control,

if it can be done at a reasonable cost. However, full automation is usually very e ...