Kaizen in smart manufacturing (SM) projects: framework and examples of improvement areas

Purpose: The fourth industrial revolution has a strong influence on changes in enterprises towards smart manufacturing. Technological progress and digital economies created new conditions for business. Currently producers aiming at digitalization of processes and smart manufacturing based on key technologies (pillars) of Industry 4.0. In transformation process, the question arises, from what to start the changes and which path to choose to smart manufacturing (SM). Apart from big projects of SM, changes need the concept of Kaizen based on small steps of changes on workstations towards smart production. The purpose of the paper is the presentation of links between Smart Manufacturing (SM) projects and Kaizen. Design/methodology/approach: The paper was realized based on literature review and examples of SM projects. Findings: The study found that Kaizen is evolving with the automation and digitisation of production. IC technologies facilitate Kaizen improvements. The automation of production processes provides insight into historical data through process monitoring. Fully autonomous equipment is equipped with systems for transferring data to a central decision-making system. The machine operator's job is to collaborate with robots and control machine operation in real time using simple data visualisation and warning systems. Research limitations/implications: The work prepared is of a high degree of generality. Kaizen is implemented at workplaces and is concerned with practical improvements. These improvements are many, following the principle of small steps. The publication focuses on presenting the idea of Kaizen in SM projects. Practical implications: The paper can have an impact on the practical application of Kaizen in SM projects as it presents examples of Kaizen improvements. Originality/value The topic of adapting Kaizen to SM projects is a new area of research that will be strongly built upon due to the utility of Smart Kaizen.