// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Heijunka
A Lean technique for leveling the production schedule by distributing the production of different products evenly over time, avoiding peaks and valleys.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Heijunka, a Lean manufacturing principle, is the leveling of production volume and mix over a fixed period, achieved through sequencing different product types and quantities to smooth demand fluctuations, reduce Mura (unevenness), and optimize resource utilization.
BACKGROUND
The Toyota Production System (TPS) is an integrated socio-technical system, developed by Toyota, that comprises its management philosophy and practices. The TPS is a management system that organizes manufacturing and logistics for the automobile manufacturer, including interaction with suppliers and customers. The system is a major precursor of the more generic "lean manufacturing". Taiichi Ohno and Eiji Toyoda, Japanese industrial engineers, developed the system between 1948 and 1975.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Production leveling
- load leveling
- demand smoothing
- mixed-model production
USAGE NOTE
Heijunka helps stabilize production, reduce inventory, and improve resource utilization by avoiding sudden spikes in demand.