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At the end of 2018, a call for papers was made for the Special Issue called “Applied Engineering to Lean Manufacturing Production Systems”, whose objective was to bring together different articles with industrial applications of the different lean manufacturing (LM) tool theories for problem-solving and case studies that improve the indices of the production systems [...]

In industrial production processes, different techniques, tools, philosophies, and methodologies are applied to facilitate their management and control [...]

Innovations within the medical device sector are constantly and rapidly emerging due to increasing demand, especially for orthosis systems, which usually constitute built rigids with low comfort, due mainly to the standardized production process. This article reports the design process of a plantar orthosis system from the application of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) tools, known as generic parameters, matrix of contradictions, and inventive principles. The final orthosis is integrated by four modules or components (1 central and 3 movables) and customers can buy only the required ones, reducing cost in unnecessary parts. The plantar orthosis was defined based on three engineering parameters that delimited the design work by developing a customizable system that is capable of performing simultaneous functions and whose manufacture could be standardized. We identified the existence of a technical contradiction between the engineering parameters, customization, and standardization, which was solved by the inventive principles of segmentation, inversion, transition to a new dimension, and porous materials. A modular design with four components was accomplished, molds are built for each component in a machining center and injected using granulated ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The positions of the movable components are configured through a bolt-hole assembly mechanism to the central component, which is a flat perforated plantar base. The novelty in the design here presented is elated to supports that constitute the orthosis, which are interchangeable and adjustable to the pathological and morphological needs of each patient.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive, canalicular neuropathies of the upper extremities, causing hand pain and impaired function. CTS results from compression or injury of the median nerve at the wrist within the confines of the carpal tunnel. Parameters such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) could be risk factors for CTS. This research work aimed to review the existing literature regarding the relationship between CTS and possible risk factors, such as age, sex, BMI, dominant hand, abdominal circumference, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and cardiac rate to determine which ones are the most influential, and therefore, take them into account in subsequent applied research in the manufacturing industry. We performed a literature search in the PubMed, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect databases using the following keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome AND (age OR sex OR BMI OR handedness OR abdominal circumference OR respiratory rate OR blood pressure OR cardiac rate). We chose 72 articles by analyzing the literature found based on selection criteria. We concluded that CTS is associated with age, female sex, and high BMI. Trends and future challenges have been proposed to delve into the relationship between risk factors and CTS, such as correlation studies on pain reduction, analysis of weight changes to predict the severity of this pathology, and its influence on clinical treatments.

Customer satisfaction is a key element for survival and competitiveness in industrial companies. This paper describes a case study in a manufacturing company that deals with several customer complaints due to defective custom cable assemblies that are integrated in an engine. The goal of this research is to find a solution to this problem, as well as prevent its recurrence by implementing the eight disciplines (8Ds) method in order to: (1) develop a team, (2) describe the problem, (3) develop an interim containment action, (4) determine and verify root causes, (5) develop permanent corrective actions, (6) define and implement corrective actions, (7) prevent recurrences, and (8) recognize and congratulate teamwork as well as individual contributions. Therefore, a software tool is proposed to conduct a functional test on assembly lines. After the test, the problem was successfully reduced and detected, because from 67 engines that were identified with problems, 51 were redesigned before being sent to customers, consequently decreasing the number of defective products by 75%, whereas the remaining 16 engines were replaced by new engines. In conclusion, the research goal was accomplished, and the 8Ds method proved to be a helpful model with which to increase employees’ motivation and involvement during the problem-solving process.

Multiple studies have analyzed the importance of preventive maintenance. Similarly, they have developed and/or evaluated various spare part inventory management policies that help companies reduce the duration of production disruptions resulting from sudden mechanical failures. All of these studies assess the impact of mechanical failures on local aspects, such as idle times or management policies. However, they do not holistically evaluate how machine failures affect key performance indicators. To address this gap, we proposed a System Dynamics (SD) model to systemically analyze the impact of machine part failures on order shipping, a key performance indicator. Similarly, we assessed the impact of machine part failures on the levels of the company’s finished goods inventory. The research was conducted in a glass bottle manufacturing company. To increase order shipping as a performance indicator, we identified the key variables of the production process and conducted a sensitivity analysis of the variables. Our results indicate that it is possible to reach the company’s 98−100% complete delivery policy.

Advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) require considerable investments that managers often avoid, which makes it difficult to link their production operations with the benefits reported in literature review. The present paper shows a structural equation model that integrates four latent variables to measure the relationship between the levels of advanced manufacturing technologies implementation (Stand-Alone Intermediate and Integrated Systems), as well as the benefits obtained in the productive systems. The variables are related to each other using six hypotheses in order to realise how the AMT implementation level affects the benefits obtained from a quantitative and statistical point of view. The model is evaluated through the partial least square technique with data from 383 responses to a survey. Findings show that Stand-Alone Systems contribute more to obtaining Production Benefits, followed by Integrated Systems and Intermediate Systems. Finally, a sensitivity analysis based on conditional probabilities was performed to evaluate scenarios at different implementation levels in AMT to know how they facilitate the acquisition of the benefits offered.

The present research proposes a structural equation model to integrate four latent variables: managerial commitment, preventive maintenance, total productive maintenance, and productivity benefits. In addition, these variables are related through six research hypotheses that are validated using collected data from 368 surveys administered in the Mexican manufacturing industry. Consequently, the model is evaluated using partial least squares. The results show that managerial commitment is critical to achieve productivity benefits, while preventive maintenance is indispensable to total preventive maintenance. These results may encourage company managers to focus on managerial commitment and implement preventive maintenance programs to guarantee the success of total productive maintenance.