Role of quick setups on quality control in the Mexican maquiladora industry

Abstract

The quick changeover in a production line facilitates the manufacture of small lots and a wide variety of products, where several variables must be controlled to optimize this process. This article presents a structural equation model relating three lean manufacturing tools as independent latent variables: quick setups, small lot production, and uniform production level, which are related to optimize a response variable: quality control. The variables are linked through six hypotheses and validated with the partial least squares technique that is integrated into the WarpPLS 6.0 software. The model is validated with data from 220 responses to a questionnaire applied to the manufacturing industry in northern Mexico. Findings indicate that a quick changeover guarantees small lots, better customization of standardized products, and appropriate quality for the customer by optimizing the production and delivery time.