Feature Technical


Bottleneck analysis:


A moving target? In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, efficiency is king, and is key to


maintaining competitiveness and profitability. One crucial tool in achieving this is bottleneck analysis. JASON TOSCHLOG, chief technology officer (CTO) at Acumence by Flexware Innovation, explains what bottleneck analysis entails and why it’s vital for maximising throughput and efficiency


in manufacturing operations. He also explores the fluid nature of bottlenecks requiring real-time visibility in production.


48 metalpackager.com


What is bottleneck analysis? At its core, bottleneck analysis focuses on identifying and addressing points in a production process where flow is restricted, thereby limiting overall throughput. Imagine a typical manufacturing process divided into multiple operations: Operation 10, Operation 20, Operation 30, and Operation 40. These operations could represent cupping, body making, trimming, and washing in can manufacturing. One of these processes will, by nature, be a bottleneck.


Identifying the bottleneck When designing a manufacturing line, engineers typically have a target production rate, such as 1500 parts per minute. This target


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