Understanding the Eight Types of a Kanban System

Most people think that Kanban is just an inventory control scheme. However, it is a system of scheduling that clearly defines to an individual what he/she should do, the time to carry it out and the processes involved. Kanban means billboard or signboard in Japanese, thus the use of Kanban boards.

Currently, there are two popular types of Kanban systems even though there are six main ones. Knowing and learning about each of them will make it easier for you to understand and know what you will need in order to design, implement and operate one for yourself.

Why a Kanban system has a lot of advantages

The input or output control Kanban
This type has two variants. It is a type of Kanban that is regarded as constant work in progress and it tries and imposes control over the input/output of an activity. The signal in this type of Kanban moves directly from the beginning to the finishing line unto the next section. In this section, the supply chain is considered as a single unit instead of multiple ones. Of course, there are special conditions that are required in the work of the system to avoid hidden capacity problems. The disadvantage here is that the considerations are not so clear and visible in the use of the method.

Kanban accumulator
In this type of Kanban, the signals can accumulate in the work center in anticipation of the production series size. This implies that absorbers can exhaust or finished under the terms of the accumulation rules. Since buffers are consumed, it is possible to place a slightly higher mixture. Then what we will have is a dual card system, which also comes in two variants. It was first used by Toyota used and since then we have learned that there are two methodologies involved when using it. The first is the separation of the complementary signal from the Kanban system and the signal "product" of the organizational programming system. The second variant creates another card that comes after the authorization process. This is the result of a request for replenishment

Variable quantity or the fixed frequency system.
This type of Kanban is ideal for situations where it is better to replenish the items that have been utilized via fixed frequency collections instead of just responding to the replenishment requests that are based on the fixed quantities.

POLCA system
This Kanban system is only applicable for variable route and in some cases high-mix situations. This system is also widely regarded as the quick response manufacturing system.

There is no denying the fact that Kanban system has a lot of advantages for businesses. You will be able to get benefits like low fixed stock, problems on quality are visible and it is a highly stable system for scheduling. There is need however to design it properly so that complications don’t arise much later.