行灯Andon
Visual Management
Andon
行灯Japanese
A visual and acoustic signal system that shows the status of a process and calls for help.
Andon makes problems visible the moment they happen. An operator pulls a cord or presses a button, a light changes colour and the team leader comes to the station. The goal is not to stop production for its own sake, but to solve the problem while the evidence is still fresh.
Examples
- 01A red light above the station signals a stop, yellow signals a call for help.
- 02A display board shows target vs. actual output for each hour.
- 03A warehouse picker presses a button when a location is empty.