• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure

    OEMs Are Demanding Designs that Challenge Suppliers

    Diabetes Technology Manufacturers Seemingly on a Sugar Rush

    Post-Pandemic Partnerships: A Full-Service Outsourcing Discussion

    Discovering the Value of Surface Treatments and Coatings for Medtech
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    Pediatric Medical Device Competition Reveals Five Finalists

    Medical Device Packaging Market to Reach $34B by 2027

    Penumbra Secures CE Mark for its Advanced Mechanical Thrombectomy Tech

    Digital Twin Tech to Significantly Impact India's Cardiology Devices Sector

    Anumana's ECG Pulmonary Hypertension AI Algorithm Gains Breakthrough Status
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure

    OEMs Are Demanding Designs that Challenge Suppliers

    Diabetes Technology Manufacturers Seemingly on a Sugar Rush

    Post-Pandemic Partnerships: A Full-Service Outsourcing Discussion

    Discovering the Value of Surface Treatments and Coatings for Medtech
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    Injecting Neurostimulators into Blood Vessels (We Swear, It’s Not Sci-Fi)

    Understanding the Costs of Care in the OR

    Sick of Being Sick: Pandemic Fatigue Flares at AAOS

    Managing Critical Healthcare Supply Chains in Turbulent Times

    To Drive Value, Human Capital Leaders Turn to Outsourced Solutions
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Concise Engineering

    BMP Medical

    Xact Wire EDM Corp.

    Cirtec Medical
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    3D Printing in Dental Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, and Surgery

    What New Tech Can Improve Your Medical Manufacturing Plant?

    Why Medical Device Firms Must Navigate the Muddy Waters of ESG Requirements

    Medical Device Servicing vs. Remanufacturing

    Digital Marketplaces for Medical Equipment Come of Age
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Concise Engineering

    BMP Medical

    Xact Wire EDM Corp.

    Cirtec Medical
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    The Value of Material Replenishment on the Production Floor

    How to keep production moving without stopping work.

    The Value of Material Replenishment on the Production Floor
    John O'Kelly, the CEO and founder of Newcastle Systems. Image courtesy of Newcastle Systems.
    John O’Kelly , CEO/Founder of Newcastle Systems09.11.19
    The greatest challenges in the manufacturing industry today stem from process inefficiency and wasted time and motion. In order to meet increasingly high demands, manufacturers need to get their product out the door quicker without sacrificing accuracy. In medical device manufacturing there is no room for errors caused by wasted motion. The production of medical instruments must be quick, yet precise, ensuring supplies produced are of the highest quality. One effective way to improve efficiency during the manufacturing process is to add a material replenishment specialist on the production floor. The job of this specialist is to make sure the workstations of each associate remain fully stocked with the necessary materials and refill as needed. With a material replenishment specialist floating around the production floor, associates never run the risk of running out of materials.
                          
    The time that manufacturing associates spend stepping away from tasks, removing their safety gear, and refilling their supplies results in non-value-added activity and countless wasted steps. With these replenished materials easily accessible via a specialist solely responsible for material replenishment, employees can keep production moving and focus on their task without stopping their work.
     
    Succeeding with Material Replenishment – The Water Spider at Karl Storz
    Karl Storz Endovision Inc. located in Charlton, Mass. is a division of Karl Storz SE & Co. KG (Tuttlingen, Germany) and is a family-owned global manufacturer and distributor of endoscopes, medical instruments, and related devices. The company saw the value in using lean practices to add more efficiency to their manufacturing floor. To improve speed and accuracy, Karl Storz Endovision recently implemented a “water spider” system, their answer to solving material replenishment problems.
     
    The water spider’s role is to keep workstations stocked and replenished throughout the production line. The spider is able to track inventory and provide the materials needed to each assembler, allowing them to keep production moving without skipping a beat. The water spider is not only able to identify where replenishment is needed on the floor, but it is also responsible for ensuring that its bins remain fully stocked. The PowerSwap Nucleus Lithium Power System keeps the water spider’s workstation powered throughout an entire shift and more.
     
    The benefits of the water spider have added value to Karl Storz entire production system. The key to the water spider is its workstation that features a two-bin system in which all materials needed by the assemblers are stored in specific bins. With information displayed through Karl Storz Endovision ERP system, the spider will move to certain sections on the production floor to deliver resources to specific assemblers. Once the spider locates them, the assemblers can easily identify which bin they need to pull parts from without hesitation. The spider also includes a printer and computer through which their ERP system is run. The inventory tracking information gathered by this system allows the water spider to locate which stations are in need of replenishment at all times.
     
    Since implementing the water spider, Karl Storz Endovision has calculated a 40 percent time savings on their manufacturing floor. Their material replenishment systems no longer take four to five employees to complete. With just one water spider able to perform this replenishment, those four to five staff members were able to be relocated to other value-added activities on the production floor. Karl Storz Endovision also calculated a 58 percent reduction in physical movement since the water spider was implemented. Since assemblers no longer have the need to stop production to refill materials, Karl Storz Endovision now has 80 percent less interruptions to their process.
     
    As demand continues to increase for manufacturers, there is more pressure to produce products quickly. For a company that manufactures medical instruments, it’s essential they maintain precision and accuracy while increasing speed. Karl Storz Endovision’s implementation of the water spider gave them exactly the efficiency improvement they were seeking and gives their company a competitive edge. 
     

    John O’Kelly is the CEO/founder of Newcastle Systems, an innovator of workplace mobility solutions partnering with many of the world’s leading companies to enhance worker productivity, operational efficiency and organizational profitability. For more information visit http://www.newcastlesys.com/
    Related Searches
    • safety
    • power
    • medical device
    • stem
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Contract Manufacturing

    Related Content


      Trending
      • Quality Management Evolution: What to Expect in 2022
      • Dexcom Reportedly In Talks To Acquire Insulet | Medical Product Outsourcing
      • Shrinking Medical Devices Create Sizable Challenges For Micromolders | Medical Product Outsourcing
      • 5 Ways Plastics Revolutionized The Healthcare Industry | Medical Product Outsourcing
      • Prometheus Group Sued Over Reused Catheters And Rectal Sensors | Medical Product Outsourcing
      Breaking News
      • Pediatric Medical Device Competition Reveals Five Finalists
      • Medical Device Packaging Market to Reach $34B by 2027
      • Penumbra Secures CE Mark for its Advanced Mechanical Thrombectomy Tech
      • Digital Twin Tech to Significantly Impact India's Cardiology Devices Sector
      • Anumana's ECG Pulmonary Hypertension AI Algorithm Gains Breakthrough Status
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May 2022

      • Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure
      • Contract Design for Medtech
      • Diabetes Medical Device Technology Update
      • Medtech Full-Service Outsourcing Q&A 2022

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      Alkemist Labs Announces Alkemist Assured Seal and Next Generation Transparency Reports
      GC Rieber Foundations Expand Philanthropic Efforts
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      PPG Hosts The Future of Coatings' Technology Innovation Day in Amsterdam
      Azelis Expands Presence in India with Acquisition of Chemo India and Unipharm Laboratories
      Teknos Publishes Sustainability Report
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      Pediatric Medical Device Competition Reveals Five Finalists
      Medical Device Packaging Market to Reach $34B by 2027
      Penumbra Secures CE Mark for its Advanced Mechanical Thrombectomy Tech
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Mirum Pharmaceuticals Acquires San Diego-based Satiogen
      Catalyst Biosciences Sells Complement Portfolio to Vertex Pharmaceuticals
      Insmed Appoints Drayton Wise as Chief Commercial Officer
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      La Roche-Posay Launches Matte Moisturizer for Oily Skin
      3 Amorepacific Employees Stole $2.3 Million
      L'Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus On Sustainability Initiatives
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Thayers Natural Remedies Celebrates 175 Years with Social Campaign
      Former Model Shirley Powell’s Indie Beauty Brand LaJeanell Comprises Gender Inclusive Skincare and Makeup
      L’Oréal's New UVMune 400 Sun Filtering Technology Protects Skin From Ultra-Long UVA Rays
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      Flint Group Flexible Packaging Europe Implements Further Price Increase
      Nazdar Launches 205 Series Inks for Roland TrueVIS SG2 and VG2 Series Printers
      Quad Adds Landa S10P Nanographic Printing Press
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      AWA to host 22nd Global Release Liner Industry Conference & Exhibition
      Domino assists Grace Label with supply chain disruptions
      Rotocon wins AI Business Excellence Award
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Rael Raises $35M in Series B Funding
      Schobertechnologies Offers Rotary Web-fed Converting Solutions
      Thorne Relaunches Gut Health Test with Microbiome Wipe
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Study Confirms Knee Shapes are Highly Individualized
      Stryker Launches EasyFuse Dynamic Compression for Foot & Ankle
      Extremity Medical Rolls Out OMNI Stable Ankle Fracture System
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      InnovationLab Acquires Flexible Printed Battery Technology from Evonik
      Canatu Receives IATF 16949:2016 Certification
      Applied Materials Announces 2Q 2022 Results

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login