He-Niukazen, also known as visual production control or levelling, is a lean manufacturing concept that arose after the Second World War in Japan as part of the Toyota Production System. The main goal of he-junka - or He junka - is to "level" or reduce fluctuations in production output throughout the day or even the week.
When a plant produces a constant volume of products every hour, each unit remains in equilibrium, allowing for smoother workflow for employees and reduced strain on equipment. However, most manufacturers meet variations in production needs - either in the volume or type of product - which can make efficient production lines look like jagged lines due to constant starts and stops.
Imagine working on an assembly line where production flows in a saw-tooth pattern.
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