Author: John Grout
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Getting the Right Signatures on the Engineering Approval
Engineering change form requires different signatures depending on the nature of the change being considered. Sometimes engineers would get too many signatures, and sometimes not enough. The revised form identifies the nature of the change in the columns and indicates unnecessary signatures in gray. Creating forms that help the user fill them out correctly is…
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Huck Fasteners and the Proper Torque for Bolts
Getting the torque on bolts right is a very tricky business for many companies. Huck fasteners mistake-proof this problem using a hybrid: half “pop-rivet,” half bolt. The tension on the bolt is created in a linear fashion the “nut” is clamped in place and the excess bolt length is cut off. The only drawback is…
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Helping Ensure the Proxy Ballot Instructions are Followed
The bottom section of this proxy ballot has important instruction. The instructions are perforated for easy removal. The mistake-proofing comes in when you try to fit the ballot in the envelope, as shown below: It does not fit. When you remove the perforated section, final instructions are in your hands. Your attention has been managed…
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Making it Easy to Serve the Right Amount of Fries
The famous French fry scoop effortlessly delivers remarkably low variation among servings of fries at fast food restaurants the world over.
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Prevent the Mistake of Picking the Wrong Parts
Speastech Smartbins are a pick-to-light bin system that also has infrared detectors to sense if a hand is put into the wrong bin. If that happens, an alarm goes off. Smartbins can be linked to an ethernet to download custom pick lists Mistake-proofing, or “poka-yoke” in Japanese, is a lean manufacturing principle aimed at eliminating…
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GUIs Prevent Bad File Name Mistakes
Graphical user interfaces are all about mistake-proofing. Remember the DOS error message: Bad Command or File Name? It can’t happen when you point and click from a list.
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Will That Suitcase Fit into the Overhead Bin?
Delta’s “Size-Wise” devices are tubular metal frames used to check your carry-on bag. If your bag fits in the size-wise unit, it will fit in the overhead compartment. Ensuring your suitcase fits within the airline’s size restrictions using the sizing device at the airport is a critical step before boarding your flight. This measure is…
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Checking for Prescription Interactions
CVS pharmacies offer free computer checking for drug and food interactions with prescriptions. Mark Graban: Instead of asking patients / customers to seek out this information, can the prescribing provider and / or the pharmacy check for drug interactions before the med is dispensed?
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Don’t Forget Your ATM Card!
New-generation ATMs perform transactions without the card leaving your hand (swiping). Chances of leaving your card in the machine: remote or impossible. Mark Graban: New “chip” ATM cards do leave your hand, since the ATM has to hold the card to read the chip. But, the mistake-proofing here is that you must retrieve your card…
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Protecting Kids From the School Bus
The school buses in my town have a wire loop mounted on the bumper, which swings out when the bus is unloading children. The loop forces children to go far enough in front of the bus that they are in the drivers field of vision, and not hidden by the hood (or bonnet if you’re…