A lean environmental benchmarking (LEB) method for the management of cutting tools

Abstract

Manufacturing companies are striving hard to remain competitive hence, they rely on a number of resources to meet customers' expectations, among which cutting tools are included. This paper addresses the problems faced in the management of cutting tools activities. Production managers have highlighted the lack of procedures containing metrics and targets that would show them whether their company is able to perform an efficient management, and if it is capable of supporting the deployment process. In this context, this paper presents a novel Lean Environmental Benchmarking (LEB) method for performing a diagnosis of practices and performances to support the implementation of a cutting tool management strategy and/or the effective management of these assets. Strategic, technical and logistical aspects are addressed, particularly, with regard to management focused on lean manufacturing and environmental aspects. Field studies were performed in nine Brazilian companies in the metal-mechanical sector to validate the LEB method proposed. The LEB method helped the participant organisations clarify the various activities that involved the management of their cutting tools, while the field studies indicated that all nine organisations had a great concern regarding the preservations of the environment, and also an effective utilisation of resources spent for machining components.

A lean and cleaner production benchmarking method for sustainability assessment: A study of manufacturing companies in Brazil

“…In recent years, growing competitiveness and the increasing popularity of LM has demanded its benchmarking (Dal Forno et al, 2016). This is because, according to Knuf (2000), it is difficult to recognize the embracement of LM and where a company stands on this aspect in relation to other organizations (Tomelero et al, 2017).…”

“…general organizational or more specific (e.g. department or process) levels (Tomelero et al 2017;Seibel, 2004). In recent years, a handful of studies have explored and considered LB as an approach to drive the improvement of processes (e.g.…”

“…In recent years, a handful of studies have explored and considered LB as an approach to drive the improvement of processes (e.g. Tomelero et al, 2017;Dal Forno et al, 2016;Kumar and Kumar, 2016). However, its use to address environmental and sustainability issues has only been attempted by Tomelero et al (2017).…”

“…Tomelero et al, 2017;Dal Forno et al, 2016;Kumar and Kumar, 2016). However, its use to address environmental and sustainability issues has only been attempted by Tomelero et al (2017). In their work, Tomelero et al (2017) integrated environmental aspects in LB by proposing Lean Environmental Benchmarking (LEB).…”

A Systematic Literature Review for Better Understanding of Lean Driven Sustainability

“…Some of the recent studies dedicated serious amount of effort to benchmark sustainability performance in various TBL pillars. Tomelero et al, (2017) developed a lean environmental benchmarking (LEB) tool to measure environmental performance of cutting tool activities at the strategic planning level [327]. Scalability of the proposed tool was not discussed in detail throughout the study.…”