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Review, assign, and update the status of all CI ideas

Submitted

Test problem

Submitted by Test · Jun 30, 2026

Submitted

Test idea

Submitted by Test · Jun 29, 2026

DeniedMediumCI-0032Machining

Coolant recycling from machining sumps is done manually. The manual process results in inconsistent coolant concentration and higher disposal costs.

↳ Install an automated coolant recycler on the three highest-volume machining cells to reduce waste.

Submitted by AAM Test(ID: AAM-001) · Jun 22, 2026

SubmittedHighCI-0029Forge

The overhead crane in the forge bay has no audible warning when in motion. Operators working nearby have been startled multiple times when it begins moving without warning.

↳ Install an audible alarm and a flashing beacon on the crane that activates automatically whenever the crane is in motion.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026

Pending ApprovalMediumCI-0030Quality

Incoming raw material inspections are logged on paper and stored in a binder in the quality office. There is no way to quickly search past inspection results by heat number or part family when a customer complaint comes in.

↳ Move incoming material inspection logs to a digital format — either a shared spreadsheet or a simple database — searchable by heat number, supplier, and date.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026

In ReviewMediumCI-0031Machining

Coolant recycling from machining sumps is done manually by maintenance once a week. The manual process results in inconsistent coolant concentration, increased coolant consumption, and higher disposal costs.

↳ Install an automated coolant recycler and concentration monitor on the three highest-volume machining cells to reduce waste and maintain optimal concentration levels automatically.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026

In ProgressHighCI-0026Machining

Emergency stop buttons on 3rd shift machining cells are difficult to locate in low-light conditions. There are no illuminated indicators or floor markings to guide operators to them quickly.

↳ Install LED-backlit emergency stop covers and paint high-visibility yellow floor markers pointing to each E-stop location on every machining cell.

Submitted by Nate Owens · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Frank Dunn

In ReviewMediumCI-0027Machining

2nd shift machining has no standardized visual management system. Operators don't know at a glance what parts are running, what's on hold, or what machines are down — they rely entirely on word of mouth.

↳ Install a shift visual management board at the entrance of each machining cell showing current part number, machine status, and any open quality holds.

Submitted by Adrienne Mills · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Carl Briggs

In ProgressHighCI-0028Engineering

There is no formal process for capturing lessons learned after a quality escape or scrap event. The same root causes recur on different lines because fixes are never documented and shared across the plant.

↳ Implement a structured lessons learned database that captures root cause, corrective action, and affected part families — reviewed monthly at the quality meeting.

Submitted by Taylor Brooks · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

ImplementedHighCI-0001Machining

Coolant leaks near OP20 machines create slip hazards during shift changes. The floor stays wet for hours before maintenance responds.

↳ Install drip trays under each OP20 coolant line and establish a 2-hour maintenance response SLA for fluid leaks.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

In ProgressHighCI-0002Forge

Parts from the FP15 forge line are occasionally missing the secondary inspection stamp, leading to quality escapes at the customer.

↳ Add a mandatory visual check station with a stamp verification jig before parts move to shipping.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Pete Solis

In ProgressMediumCI-0003Engineering

We are ordering replacement cutting inserts in small batches which increases per-unit cost significantly.

↳ Switch to a quarterly bulk-order model and negotiate volume pricing with our primary tooling supplier.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

ImplementedMediumCI-0004Machining

Operators on 3rd shift spend 15+ minutes at shift start locating the correct program numbers for each machine because they aren't posted at the station.

↳ Laminate and post a program reference card at every machine listing the active part numbers and corresponding CNC program IDs.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Carl Briggs

DeniedCriticalCI-0005Safety/EHS

The emergency eye wash station near the forge entry is blocked by a pallet of material that frequently gets placed there by forklift operators.

↳ Paint a permanent no-storage zone outline on the floor around the eye wash station and add signage at forklift height.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Frank Dunn

In ReviewMediumCI-0006Engineering

Engineer drawing reviews are still being done on paper printouts. The cost of printing and the time to locate revisions is significant.

↳ Adopt a shared digital drawing viewer on shop floor tablets tied to the PLM system.

Submitted by Jordan Hayes · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

ImplementedHighCI-0007Machining

First-piece inspections on OP20 are sometimes skipped when the supervisor is busy, leading to scrap parts being run for up to 20 minutes.

↳ Implement a mandatory supervisor sign-off tag that must be physically attached to the machine before production begins.

Submitted by Carl Briggs · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Carl Briggs

In ProgressMediumCI-0008Engineering

New engineers have no structured onboarding to learn the production floor. Most spend their first month confused about part flows.

↳ Create a 2-week rotational onboarding schedule where new engineers spend time in each department before joining their project team.

Submitted by Dana Patel · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

ImplementedHighCI-0009Forge

Forge operators lack a dedicated spot to store personal PPE between shifts. Gloves and face shields are left on machines or the floor.

↳ Install a labeled PPE locker rack at the entry of each forge cell — one slot per operator.

Submitted by Pete Solis · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Pete Solis

In ReviewHighCI-0010Engineering

Prototype parts are being run on production machines, causing unplanned downtime and schedule disruptions for production teams.

↳ Designate one older machining center as a dedicated prototype machine and take it off the production schedule.

Submitted by Morgan Ellis · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

ImplementedMediumCI-0011Machining

2nd shift operators regularly run out of coolant concentrate mid-shift because the supply cabinet is stocked only during 1st shift hours.

↳ Add a secondary coolant concentrate cabinet on the floor stocked weekly, accessible to all shifts.

Submitted by Leo Vega · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Leo Vega

In ProgressMediumCI-0012Machining

3rd shift has no access to the quality hold tag printer — they write hold tags by hand which are often illegible.

↳ Install a dedicated label printer on 3rd shift with pre-loaded quality hold tag templates.

Submitted by Nate Owens · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Nate Owens

In ReviewHighCI-0013Engineering

Coolant and cutting oil disposal is done manually using 5-gallon buckets. Spills during transport are a recurring environmental and safety issue.

↳ Install a centralized fluid recovery system with underground drainage lines to a holding tank that gets pumped out quarterly.

Submitted by Riley Chen · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

In ProgressHighCI-0014Forge

Die change times on 2nd shift forging presses average 45 minutes. Industry benchmark is under 20 minutes.

↳ Conduct a SMED workshop on the forge floor and redesign the die staging area to enable single-digit changeovers.

Submitted by Tony Marsh · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Tony Marsh

DeniedLowCI-0015Forge

3rd shift forge employees have no break room and currently eat in a small hallway adjacent to the press area. It is loud, hot, and uncomfortable.

↳ Convert the unused storage room near the fire exit into a proper break room with tables, a microwave, and ventilation.

Submitted by Dre Fulton · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Frank Dunn

In ProgressHighCI-0016Engineering

Dimensional inspection data is logged in paper binders by shift. There is no way to quickly trend data or catch drift before parts go out of spec.

↳ Implement a simple SPC data entry tablet at each critical inspection station feeding a shared dashboard.

Submitted by Quinn Okafor · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

ImplementedCriticalCI-0017Machining

Forklift and pedestrian paths intersect at the machining cell entrance with no visual warning. Two near-misses occurred in the last 90 days.

↳ Install convex safety mirrors at the intersection and paint tiger-stripe pedestrian corridors on the floor.

Submitted by Sam Ruiz · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Frank Dunn

In ReviewMediumCI-0018Forge

Forge dies are being replaced at fixed intervals regardless of actual wear, causing premature replacement and excess tooling spend.

↳ Implement a die wear tracking checklist and replace based on actual wear measurement rather than calendar schedule.

Submitted by Zach Pryor · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Pete Solis

SubmittedLowCI-0019Machining

Part trays are shared between machining cells but there is no tracking system. Operators spend time searching for empty trays before each run.

↳ Color-code trays by cell and create a fixed home location for empties at each cell entry.

Submitted by Mick Foster · Jun 22, 2026

SubmittedMediumCI-0020Forge

Hearing protection dispensers near the forge presses are frequently empty and no one is assigned to restock them.

↳ Assign restocking to the 1st shift forge team leader as a daily checklist item and add it to the area audit.

Submitted by Walt Keene · Jun 22, 2026

ImplementedLowCI-0021Machining

There is no public recognition of when a team hits its monthly production target. Good performance goes unacknowledged.

↳ Post a visible monthly performance board in each machining cell showing target vs actual and celebrate teams who hit their goals.

Submitted by Gary Hunt · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Carl Briggs

In ProgressHighCI-0022Machining

Operators are using worn-out calipers that haven't been calibrated in over a year. This is a major MSA risk.

↳ Establish a gauge calibration log at each station and schedule annual calibration with a certified provider.

Submitted by Ivan Cole · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

In ReviewMediumCI-0023Engineering

Engineering change orders are printed and routed physically through multiple departments, taking up to 2 weeks to get all signatures.

↳ Move ECO routing to a digital workflow with email notifications and electronic signatures.

Submitted by Blake Simmons · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Alex Rivera

SubmittedMediumCI-0024Forge

Scale and oxide buildup from the forge presses is swept manually and deposited in open bins. During summer, the oxidized material creates airborne particulate.

↳ Replace open bins with sealed collection containers and add a ventilation hood over the sweep area.

Submitted by Neal Cross · Jun 22, 2026

In ProgressHighCI-0025Machining

Shift handoff communication between 2nd and 3rd shift machining is inconsistent. Important machine issues and part quality notes are frequently not communicated to the incoming team.

↳ Standardize shift handoff using a written shift notes form posted at each machine, reviewed at the 5-minute pre-shift meeting.

Submitted by AAM Test · Jun 22, 2026 · Assigned to: Carl Briggs

CI Idea Hub · Continuous Improvement