Lean manufacturing is all about eliminating seven types of waste: overproduction, inventory, motion, defects, overprocessing, waiting, and transport. The 60 steel
roller track directly addresses several of these, while also reducing carbon footprint. Let's break it down:
1. Reducing Transport Waste:
Transport waste refers to unnecessary movement of materials. The 60 steel
roller track's smooth design ensures that parts glide easily from one workstation to another, reducing the need for manual handling or heavy machinery to move components. This not only cuts down on labor costs but also reduces energy use—since you're using less power to move parts.
2. Cutting Inventory Waste:
Inventory waste is when you have more parts on hand than you need. The 60 steel
roller track is often used in flow racks, which are designed to hold parts in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) order. This means you only have the parts you need for current production on the rack, reducing excess inventory. Less inventory means less storage space needed, and fewer resources tied up in unused parts.
3. Minimizing Replacement Waste:
As we mentioned earlier, the 60 steel
roller track's long lifespan means you replace it far less often than plastic alternatives. Let's do the math: If a plastic track needs replacement every 18 months, and a steel track lasts 6 years, you're using three times fewer tracks over a 6-year period. That's a 66% reduction in waste from track replacements alone.
4. Lowering Carbon Footprint:
Every time you produce a new component, you're using energy and emitting carbon. By reusing the 60 steel
roller track, you avoid the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing new parts. For example, producing a plastic track emits about 0.5 kg of CO2 per unit, while a steel track emits 1.2 kg—but since the steel track lasts three times longer, the total CO2 per year is 0.2 kg vs. 0.25 kg for plastic. That's a 20% reduction in carbon footprint per year. Plus, steel is more recyclable than plastic—so when the track finally reaches the end of its life, it can be melted down and reused, further reducing its environmental impact.