SMED

Concept

A method for shortening changeover and setup times on machines by separating the work that needs the machine to be stopped from the work that can be done while it runs, and then simplifying both.

Title graphic: SMED (Concept)

Descrição

SMED stands for single-minute exchange of die. It is a method for shortening the time a machine is stopped to change from one product to the next. The central idea is to separate internal work, which needs the machine to be stopped, from external work, which can be done while it still runs, such as fetching tools and preparing material.

Teams then move as much work as possible from internal to external, and simplify what remains, for example with quick fasteners, standard settings and fixed positions. Shorter changeovers allow smaller batches, less stock and faster reaction to orders. The name does not promise a time under ten minutes. It describes the direction. SMED is part of lean management.

Tipo	Concept
Também conhecido como	Single-minute exchange of die, Quick changeover, Schnellrüsten
Wikipédia	en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Changeover

Articles about SMED (3)

Changeover Reduction: How to Apply SMED in Practice
2026-11-11 · Mirko Peters
SMED cuts changeover time by moving work outside the machine stop. Five steps and a worked example for quick changeover on your own line, starting this week.
Lean in Aerospace Manufacturing: What Works at Low Volumes
2026-11-11 · Mirko Peters
Lean aerospace manufacturing works at low volumes when you level demand, group part families and cut changeovers. A practical guide for plant managers.
High-Mix Low-Volume Production Planning: 7 Practical Tips
2026-11-11 · Mirko Peters
High mix low volume production planning needs real capacity, short changeovers and part families. Seven practical tips for production managers, with an example.

Relationship map of SMED: linked topics

Related to

iFAKT GmbH · Organization
Polaris Optimizer · Product
Lean management · Concept
Kaizen · Concept
Production manager · Profissão / função
Setup time · Concept
Batch size · Concept

Glossário

Community wiki

Short info above, community knowledge below: add practical tips, examples or corrections. New contributions are reviewed first; trusted members publish directly.

Especialistas e empresas para este tópico

Mirko Peters · Microsoft MVP

Sources

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Changeover
Feed for this topic (RSS): entity/smed/feed.xml
Articles on this topic: 3

Maintained by Mirko Peters (Microsoft MVP) · Last updated: 2026-11-11