Principle of continuous flow.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

the shortest distance. How well we adhere to this

principle determines, in some cases, the type of

NOTE

equipment used in the operation. For example, in

DISCUSS shipping and receiving

receiving and stacking commodities in a warehouse, the

operations generally, to determine if

distance from the car to the stack determines whether

the principle does apply. If it does

we use a fork truck and pallet method alone, or with the

not apply, discuss the reasons and

addition of tractor and trailers. We have discussed

get the group to think along the lines

previously that it is not economical, in an average

of eliminating these causes.

operation, to have a fork truck travel farther than 400

feet in hauling and stacking. To save man-hours and

(1) This principle stresses the point that

equipment; therefore, we should make every effort to

materials should move continuously along any

keep the distances from car to stack under 400 feet.

production line.

Material should always move as

We cannot move our warehouse, but we can move the

smoothly as possible; choppy or broken flow causes

car to a location nearer the stack. This, of course, calls

confusion and delay. In shipping or receiving materials,

for PLANNING and the correct SPOTTING OF CARS.

every effort must be made to move the materials

DIRECTLY to the car or stack; this, of course, requires

(2) Car spotting means placing the freight car

PLANNING. There are certain operations that lend

at a SPECIFIC location or SPOT for loading or

themselves more easily than others to the application of

unloading. By spotting cars as near the storage points

this principle. Loose issue room packing, kit or set

as possible, the hauling distance of supplies is reduced

assembly, and sorting sized items on a conveyor are all

and man-hours and equipment are saved.

operations in which we SEE the continuous flow, or

c. Principle of continuous flow.

easily recognize the lack of it.

-"The second principle is the PRINCIPLE of

(2) Whenever it can be used, one of the best

CONTINUOUS FLOW."

methods to assure continuous flow is the use of a

-"By that is meant-MATERIALS SHOULD MOVE

conveyor system of some type. Such a conveyor will

CONTINUOUSLY ALONG ANY PRODUCTION LINE."

act as a PACE SETTER and interruptions are easily

--"WHICH materials handling JOBS do you know about

observed. We can, however, have continuous flow,

that lend themselves most naturally to the application of

even in the following: operations involving hand labor,

this PRINCIPLE?"

use of platform trucks, tractor-trailer trains, forklift

trucks, and pallets.

We must take care in such

LOOSE ISSUE FROM PACKING

operations, particularly in shipping and receiving, that

KIT ASSEMBLY

the flow is not interrupted by inefficient checking or

UNLOADING CARS

inspection

methods,

unnecessary

marking,

SORTING SIZED ITEMS

miscellaneous bottlenecks caused by poor planning, or

lack of necessary labor and equipment. A very simple

-"What is one of the

best

ways

ASSURE

ground rule to follow is: "Plan where you want the

CONTINUOUS FLOW?"

material to go-and then take them there!" Question very

critically the necessity and reason for any stops en

USE OF CONVEYORS

route.

-"CONTINUOUS FLOW should be applied to ALL of our

d. Principle of concentration of operation.

SHIPPING and RECEIVING operations."

-"The next principle listed is the PRINCIPLE of

CONCENTRATION OF OPERATION which implies

that-in the MOVEMENT and HANDLING of material, the

OPERATION SHOULD BE LIMITED IN DISTANCE

AND AREA COVERED."

-"We all realize that an OPERATION SPREAD OVER

TOO MUCH AREA causes PROBLEMS in HANDLING

and SUPERVISION."

-"Don't however, limit the operation to the point of

CONGESTION."

-"In which operations could we most likely make

improvements along the lines implied in this

PRINCIPLE?"

7-34