Assembly lines are one of the most common manufacturing processes because they yield predictable, consistent results. When it comes to designing your assembly line, there are many things to keep in mind. We already know that it is important to maintain quality control, to keep the process simple, and to be mindful of the floor plan. However, here are three more practices to help you design effective assembly lines.

Best Practices for Designing Effective Assembly Lines

1. Build fasteners directly into parts. First, one of the main ways you can simplify your assembly-line process and make it more effective is to build fasteners directly into your parts. Instead of using screws or other fasteners, you can utilize snap fits because they are just as secure and required no additional tools. Eliminating as many complex fasteners can speed up your assembly process by almost 50%.
2. Use the same parts everywhere. Next, it is important to use the same parts everywhere. I don’t mean the exact same thing, but when it comes to screws, washers, and other fasteners, it is best to standardize these parts for each assembly and across product lines. If possible, you should try to use the same tool across the entire assembly.
3. Give parts a clear orientation. Finally, you should give parts a clear orientation. In fact, better than giving them a clear orientation, you should make it impossible for them to be assembled incorrectly. This can be as simple as adding a notch for round parts or varying the shape of other parts. Even though this is a great way to make your assembly process easier, it’s important to not go overboard and complicate things too much.

If time equals money in business, then any assembly line must be as effective as it can be. Some ways to make assembly lines more effective are obvious, such as creating an efficient floor plan, maintaining quality control, and keeping processes short and simple. However, there are more ways to make your assembly line effective, including simplifying fasteners, using the same parts throughout the product design, and giving parts a clear orientation. If you are ready to begin manufacturing a product design, you can contact Alfred Manufacturing and we can help you get started.