What is Andon
Andon is a visual feedback system that indicates production status, alerts when assistance is needed and physically enables the operator to stop the process.
Why Andon
General advantages
- Enables the operator to stop the process
- Shows process status and signals for assistance
Reduces waste types
- ☐ Conveyance
- ☐ Inventory
- ☐ Motion
- ☐ Waiting
- ☐ Overproduction
- ☐ Overprocessing
- ☐ Correction
When to use Andon
Essential conditions
Visual Management
Visual Management is the foundation for this tool. Without its principles, the visual feedback subcomponent of the tool cannot exist.
Non-essential conditions
None
N/A
How to implement and use Andon
Implementation
Subcomponents:
The implementation consists of two subcomponents, a stopping mechanism and a visual feedback system. The first is a physical control measure and the second is a signalling system.
- Stopping mechanism:
- Physical way to stop the process immediately, e.g. an emergency stop button, or cord which can be pulled (a.k.a. ‘Andon cord’)
- Visual feedback system:
- A visual way of indicating the process status (running/stopped), e.g. a traffic light (a.k.a. ‘Andon light’)
Use
The operator of the process uses the stopping mechanism to stop the process. After implementation of the two subcomponents nothing special is required in order to have the tool function as designed.
Where to find it
IASSC Body of Knowledge:
Lean: 21
Yellow ➔ Apply
Green ➔ Analyze
Black ➔ Create
Lean Six Sigma: –
Yellow ➔ N/A
Green ➔ N/A
Black ➔ N/A
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