Entropy-Based Lean, Energy and Six Sigma Approach to Achieve Sustainability in Manufacturing System.

Area of Science:

• Industrial Engineering
• Sustainable Manufacturing
• Operations Management

Background:

• Traditional Value Stream Mapping (VSM) lacks focus on energy consumption and waste.
• Integrating Lean, Energy, and Six Sigma methodologies is crucial for modern manufacturing efficiency.
• Identifying energy waste is key to achieving sustainable production processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated Lean-Energy-Six Sigma Value Stream Mapping (LESSVSM) framework for manufacturing.
• To quantify energy use and waste within a manufacturing value stream.
• To provide a systematic approach for enhancing sustainable manufacturing practices.

Main Methods:

• Amending Lean's VSM tool to incorporate energy analysis.
• Developing an entropy-based mathematical model to identify rework and rejection hotspots.
• Implementing the LESSVSM model at the product level, measuring energy from input to output.

Main Results:

• The LESSVSM model successfully identified energy use and waste across workstations.
• The entropy-based model pinpointed areas with maximum rejection or rework.
• Implementation on a four-workstation system demonstrated the model's applicability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed LESSVSM framework enables manufacturers to minimize energy and waste.
• This approach supports the goal of achieving sustainable manufacturing.
• Researchers and practitioners can utilize LESSVSM for systematic improvement.