SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die)

Perfecting SMED can be beneficial for a company. The setup or changeover of different processes needs to be done correctly but in as little time as possible to enhance productivity and increase profits. Changing a tire is a common example. The average person needs 15 or more minutes to put on a spare. However, a NASCAR pit crew can change four tires in just seconds. In a company, management needs to work with internal elements, those that have to be completed while the equipment is stopped, and external elements, those that can be completed while the equipment is running.