IMPQI322 – Apply a single minute exchange of dies (SMED) system in food operations

Overview 

This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed to apply a single minute exchange of dies (SMED) system as part of your organisation's drive to increase the effectiveness and productivity of food operations. This is important in the achievement of excellence and the success of manufacture, processing and supply across the food supply chain. SMED is critical to the improvement and efficiency of product changeovers in food operations.

You will need to apply and understand SMED practices, its analysis phases and techniques. You also need to show and know how to use the basic steps to improve changeover efficiency using SMED. You will need to understand how to take into account parallel operations and the benefits of the SMED approach to changeover operations.

This standard is for you if your role requires you to apply a SMED system and approach in food or drink operations including, manufacturing, processing, packaging or supply chain activities. You may have responsibilities for aspects of organisational improvement in a team leadership or management role.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

Prepare to apply a SMED system

  1. confirm and agree the defined scope of improvement activity with the relevant personnel
  2. check and confirm that SMED is the most appropriate system to support the improvement required in accordance with the improvement plan
  3. obtain information, documentation and resources necessary to support the SMED system in accordance with procedures
  4. communicate the purpose of the SMED system to the relevant personnel

Apply a SMED system to support improvement activity

  1. use approved methodology in the analysis phases to collect information and performance data on changeover activities in accordance with the improvement plan
  2. use the basic steps to improve the efficiency of changeovers in accordance with the improvement plan

Report SMED improvements

  1. present findings on the application of a SMED system to the relevant personnel
  2. make recommendations about further potential improvement opportunities and targets resulting from the findings to the relevant personnel

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand

  1. who developed the SMED approach and method
  2. what the SMED approach aims to achieve in product changeovers
  3. the SMED objective
  4. the integral relationship of SMED with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) as one of the six major losses
  5. the 4 analysis phases of SMED
  6. how the health, safety and hygiene requirements of a work area can influence the process of SMED
  7. the eight techniques that should be considered in implementing SMED
  8. the difference between external set up and internal set up operations
  9. why it is preferable to convert internal set up to external set up operations where possible
  10. the four conceptual stages which SMED improvement should pass through
  11. the seven basic steps to reducing changeover using the SMED system
  12. the key elements within a changeover operation which would be essential to observe in a SMED analysis
  13. why it is important to record all necessary data during a SMED analysis
  14. why it is necessary to take into account parallel operations in carrying out SMED improvements
  15. what the economic batch quantity ratio is and how this impacts on SMED activity and changeover efficiencies
  16. why it is important to be clear about the levels of authority of personnel linked to SMED improvements
  17. what the potential benefits are of using the SMED approach to changeover improvements
  18. what value added to normal line running operations can be gained from SMED activities

Keywords: Food; Operations; Manufacturing; Excellence; Improvement; Changeover; SMED