Robot Automation in a Lean Manufacturing System

1 Abstract: Globalization and the increasing challenge from low-wage competitors highlight the need for European industries to enhance their ability to develop and manufacture products competitively. As a consequence, many manufacturing industries are trying to implement the unique management principles and practices of the Toyota Motor Corporation's with many different names, for example "The Toyota Production System" or "Lean production". One question and debate within industry, is whether traditional robot automation fits the principles and practices of lean? This paper presents results from a project which has investigated if industrial robot automation has a place in a manufacturing company pursuing a lean philosophy. Two case studies are presented, based on a manufacturing company in Sweden that is currently undergoing a transformation towards a lean-based production system. The results from the first case study shows some of the challenges regarding automation that the Swedish manufacturing company face, as well as it identifies four areas considered as important to focus upon when introducing robot automation in the lean manufacturing system. The second case study pin-points some important factors (in terms of robot automation) which differ between Swedish manufacturing culture and some studied Japanese companies.