40 | Regulars / Continuous improvementfrst rule of any improvement step is to simplify a process before automating a process. Setting up a pull system with a Kanban process allows us to simplify demand management, maintain visual control of material, and signal order replenishment needs.KanbanA Kanban system is a demand management system that starts with a visual signal that links actual demand with production needs instantaneously. The visual alert of the need is typically described as a Kanban card. Starting with a Kanban system today provides a converter time to study future software needs that will complement the material management responsibilities in the future. The best software systems can use the learning from Kanban to provide a better all-around solution for material management. Getting started is simple and a material Kanban can be set up with a kaizen event in just a few days. It starts with organizing a few people including the person responsible for materials or purchasing of the items. The team should examine part use patterns, replenishment lead times and order multiples. The team locations are required based on volume. A card hangs at the area, can use a simple formula to calculate a recommended Kanban typically on the rack. The number of pallets typically determines quantity: Kanban Qty = (Daily Demand x Lead Time X (1 + the number of cards. Initially, the material presenter receives a Safety Factor)/Qty of Cards. signal to pull raw material to a particular cell of the staging area. The typical number of cards in a Kanban formula depends on the The material presenter pulls the material and the corresponding replenishment speed. The calculation outcome can be checked with card. The material is delivered and the card is placed in a designated simple reasoning and common-sense factors. mailbox area for procurement. Purchasing places the order for The successful process requires a very good understanding of material and forwards the card to the receiving department. When 5S with defned locations for each of the raw materials. Inside the material is received, the material presenter puts the material the converter’s facility, they will need to identify fxed location away and replaces the card. This Kanban loop is simple and visual. areas, sometimes referred to as supermarkets, in concert with If a converter has room for sideline storage at the press location, a their determined quantity. The team will defne how many pallet simple ‘mini mart’ can be established as well. The mini-mart Kanban The synthetic paper that reduces your environmental impactrArjobex is introducing r-Polyart, a new range of synthetic papers based on 30% Post-Consumer Recycled HDPE to reduce our carbon footprint and help our customers reach their sustainability goals.For tags & labels, maps, graphic prints…30% is the frst step towards more eco-responsible manufacturing.Find r-Polyart and the full Polyart range on polyart.com or polyartusa.comlabelsandlabeling.com