Mobile Technology Applications for Manufacturing, Reduction of Muda (Waste) and the Effect on Manufacturing Economy and Efficiency

Abstract

Mobile devices in the manufacturing setting offer mobility and information whenever and wherever it is needed; these advantages allow for a more efficient workflow and allow the user to make more informed decisions. Due to these advantages, companies are reducing muda (waste) by using mobile devices (implementing Lean Manufacturing) and therefore saving money. Some of the mobile applications discussed in this paper are the following: Augmented Reality for assembly training, pruefcubing, remotely-monitored shop floors, statistical process control (SPC), and change requests for construction, and the two types of muda (waste) reduced by these mobile applications are “unnecessary / excess motion and defects.”