1月16日雅思阅读预测：精益生产

　　1月16日雅思阅读最小范围预测

　　文章标题 精益生产 lean production

　　文章大意 该篇讲述的是汽车制造的一种方法，里面有说手工生产和流水线生产mass production 的优缺点比较，just-in- time 和自动化生产。CRAFTMAN ,MASS PRODUCTION,LEAN PRODUCTION比较，里面涉及的是operation management的知识，说明精益生产的好处，比较专业。 题目类型 LOH (7个)

　　S 参考答案 Lean production is an assembly-line manufacturing methodology developed originally for Toyota and the manufacture of automobiles. It is also known as the Toyota Production System. The goal of lean production is described as to get the right things to the right place at the right time, the first time, while minimizing waste and being open to change. Engineer Ohno, who is credited with developing the principles of lean production, discovered that in addition to eliminating waste, his methodology led to improved product flow and better quality.

　　Instead of devoting resources to planning what would be required for future manufacturing, Toyota focused on reducing system response time so that the production system was capable of immediately changing and adapting to market demands. In effect, their automobiles became made-to-order. The principles of lean production enabled the company to deliver on demand, minimize inventory, maximize the use of multi-skilled employees, flatten the management structure, and focus resources where they were needed.

　　During the 1980s, the set of practices summarized in the ten rules of lean production were adopted by many manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Europe. The management style was tried out with varying degrees of success by service organizations, logistics organizations and supply chains. Since the demise of many dot.coms, there has been a renewed interest in the principles of lean production, particularly since the philosophy encourages the reduction of inventory. Dell Computers and Boeing Aircraft have embraced the philosophy of lean production with great success.

　　The ten rules of lean production can be summarized:

　　1. Eliminate waste

　　2. Minimize inventory

　　3. Maximize flow

　　4. Pull production from customer demand

　　5. Meet customer requirements

　　6. Do it right the first time

　　7. Empower workers

　　8. Design for rapid changeover

　　9. Partner with suppliers

　　10. Create a culture of continuous improvement