Benefits of batch size reduction

Let us consider a machine on which to process a number of parts. These parts to be processed are the Production Batch. In our example, the container holding the parts before processing has 12 parts.

It will be so until the twelfth part; 11 others parts keep waiting, in front or after the machine.

Once the twelfth is done, the whole production batch is now done. It can be moved to the next operation, but while waiting for transfert, all 12 parts keep waiting.

If machine cycle for one part is one hour, the production batch canot be moved to next step in less than 12 hours.

This happens frequently in workshops. The bigger the batch size, the more parts keep waiting, evenonly one part can be processed each time.