There is a famous book written in the 1990s’ entitled “The Machine That Changed the World” by James P. Womack.

This book has become so famous that today it is considered a sacred manual for all those involved in the manufacturing world.

James P. Womack was a young American graduate when he began to study the various production systems in the automotive world, including the most famous of Toyota. He was trying to understand how this company could develop a method of production so efficient that it was able to overcome the American model of Ford.

The Toyota method was coined “Lean Manufacturing”.

The title of the book could be a bit misleading because it is titled “The Machine that changed the world”, but inside it is not talking about a specific machine but a method.

Exactly, a method.

The fact is that in much of the industry it is common to be a bit lazy and not read past the title.  Thus, creating an idea that there may be a machine capable of solving all their problems and issues in production.

I am not joking.

There are really people around looking for the machine that changed the world to help them solve all their problems in production.

Anyways, we know it’s not like that.

If you read the book well you understand how the real breakthrough is dictated first of all by a change of mentality and by the application of a method that helps your production company apply a new business model.

“The Lean Thinking”, that is to learn to think in a lean way.

From here all the concepts and pivotal points have been developed that together form the Toyota Lean Manufacturing method.

At the base of everything there is certainly the concept according to which it is possible to optimize production, lowering waste and increasing productivity.

The forms of waste that were defined in this method were:

• excess of activity: carry out activities that do not produce value;

• movement: completing movements to reach materials far from the point of use;

• defects: produce waste or rework;

• stock: purchase or produce materials in excess of the requirements of the subsequent process or order;

• excess of production: produce more than required by the client or by the subsequent process;

• waiting: use the time in a non-productive way;

• transport: move the material without need connected to the creation of value.

“The Machine that Changed the World” is therefore a book that helps you to think from this point of view, according to which it is not important to dwell on mass production, but rather on the optimization of its production department.

What should be your first goal?

Maximize the productivity of your production department to minimize waste and maximize results.

Then reach the maximum result in balance between Flexibility and Productivity.

Are there any methods that can help you and guide you through this process?

Of course!

There are methods, tools, technologies and so on and so forth.

The Machine that changed the world in the world of CNC machine tools

We can do the same thing for the Machine Tool world, because there are new technologies that are helping us to better face the new market challenges, but at the base there is always a method and a change of mentality.

Of course, it must certainly be adapted to specific situations of this sector, but I assure you that at the base the starting point is the same.

I could be here to tell you that “The Machine that Changed the World” is the Multicenter or in any case the newest technology and category of Flexible Machines.

But in reality, it would be deception, because this could put in your head the strange idea that if you take a Flexible Machine then suddenly all the ills are cured and your production returns to be as competitive as it once was.

Am I right?

Yes, let’s say that if I had already really understood the potential of the Multicenter for your Production Department today you would certainly have one installed in the company.

But ignoring this aspect I can tell you that first of all behind this new and powerful technology there is a method that makes all the difference

What is it?

The “Flexible Production” method, which is also based on the concept of “Think Lean”, that is, to learn to reason and think in a streamlined perspective.

Change of mentality and change of business model are the key to become as productive as ever.

The Flexible Production method starts from these concepts and adapts them to the world of Machine Tool users, to help you understand how to maximize your business model, to produce only the sold product, without producing for the warehouse.

So which machine has changed the world for the CNC machine tool industry?

If you read the book you would think it could be the Multicenter (some have confessed this to me) …

But I invite you anyway to start reading the basics behind the concepts on which this machine was built and the category of Flexible Machines, to really understand what it is and what objectives the method Flexible Production has.

To do so, I invite you to click on the link below …

If you want to go deeper on the topic of “Flexible Production”,

CLICK HERE

>>> www.flexibleproductionbook.com <<<

My book, dedicated to users of machine tools that want to make the leap in quality & productivity, is waiting for you!!!

Maurizio Porta

MASTER TRAINER Method FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION