i. Value Stream Mapping
In order to identify the non-value adding activities that
incurred in the autoclave curing process, a value stream
mapping is done for next section. According to Rother and
Shook (2003), to be able to see the whole flow of activities
and to quickly discover where there is room for
improvement some form of method to visualize the
refining process is needed. A value stream is all the actions
(both value added and non-value added) currently required
to bring a product through the main flows essential to
every product, the production flow from raw material into
the arms of the customer, and the design flow from
concept to launch. Purpose of VSM is to highlight sources
of waste and eliminate them by implementing the future
state value stream that can become a reality within a short
period of time. (Daniel Hogfeldt, 2005). Process flow of
autoclave curing is as followed