Three Machine Types on the Line — Lesson 14: Integrating Machines
The same stream of single units is fed to three machines side by side. All three run at the same
Takt and hold the same batch size — the only thing that differs is how they load and
unload. Watch where the inventory piles up, how long a part takes to get through, and which integration
method each one needs. Feed units automatically at Takt, or switch to manual and push them in one at a time.
Where the inventory sits
Live count of units tied up by each machine, split into upstream lane ·
inside the machine · downstream lane. Longer bar = more WIP bought and paid for.
Batch size 6
Takt 2.0m
Speed 1.0×
Scoreboard
Machine
Peak WIP
Lane size
Lead time
Shipped
Resource calculation Slides 6 · 10 · 13
On Slide 6 the same calculation gives 24 ÷ 20 = 1.2 → 2 machines for a
single‑piece machine, because there the answer means machines. On Slides 10 and 13 the
same division gives 36, but there it means units — units inside the machine, or units in
the FIFO lanes. Same arithmetic, completely different thing to buy.