Much has happened since Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s Inside Machine Shop, also known as Shop 31, first shared their time-saving model line initiative in April following its pilot demonstration.
The model line initiative is about creating an optimal production process in which a strong emphasis is placed on the preparation period prior to the start of a project, ensuring the mechanic can complete their job without frequent work stoppages. Late last year, Shop 31 launched a pilot project testing the model line process on a ball valve restoration.
When the principles of the model line initiative were applied to the process, the entire restoration was completed in nearly half the time when compared to the historical average for restoring similar valves, proving the initiative to be hugely successful in saving valuable production time and reducing frustration for the mechanics involved.
Model line repetitions two and three were performed on similar valve restoration projects. Despite requiring some additional problem-solving efforts, these repetitions yielded very similar results, further confirming the initiative's time-saving capacity. “There are always factors out of our control that can contribute to setbacks throughout a project,” said Shop 31 Superintendent Justin Orr. “With the model line process, we put extra emphasis on preparing a cross-functional and problem-solving team to guarantee that when the job got to the mechanic, it was ready to work start to finish.”
Since the pilot, Shop 31 has included supporting departments in the model line process to widen the area of involvement and further support the mechanic doing the work. “In these additional repetitions, we used the same mentality we had in the pilot, while also developing great collaboration with assisting departments to resolve problems,” said Orr.
Transformation Office Industrial Engineer Dana St. Pierre explained, “The mechanic is at the nucleus of everything we do. The model line initiative is all about supporting the mechanic, and that effort includes getting codes that play a supporting role in the job of the mechanic involved and on-board,” said St. Pierre. “We’ve been working closely with the Engineering and Planning Department, as well as the Supply Department, since they play an important role in getting the mechanic what they need to be successful.”
The success of the model line initiative has gained much visibility since the pilot. “Over the past year we have shared this initiative through a series of immersion workshops with the Inside Machine Shops from the other three public shipyards, and their supporting codes to maintain alignment on the model line process,” said Orr. “We’ve even brought material experts from Naval Sea Systems Command to give them insight on what we needed to compound our efforts to make the mechanic the nucleus of our operations.” A number of VIP guests have also been briefed on the initiative and its success, including four-star Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Innovations at PNSY, including the model line initiative, are being leveraged across the enterprise in an effort to reach 80% taskable submarines by the year 2027, as directed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. It is the dedicated men and women of the PNSY workforce, including those in Shop 31, that will lead the way to reaching that goal.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2024 11:59 |
| Story ID: | 485681 |
| Location: | KITTERY, MAINE, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
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This work, PNSY Inside Machine Shop Continues Time-Saving Model Line Initiative, by Hanna Lanoie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
