Color Changing Andon Display Board

A Call Andon board where the color of the display changes if the delay in attending the call exceeds a preset interval, programmed initially into the Andon.  Further delay escalation results in Blinking of the color – typically in RED until the call is attended.

The word Andon is Japanese, and its origins comes from the use of traditional lighting equipment. It is now a commonly used term in lean manufacturing where it is used as a signal to highlight an anomaly using a visual system of communication that is often relayed with a lit signboard or stacked lights. It may also be able to be activated automatically by the production equipment. It means to stop production may also be included in the system so issues can be corrected immediately. Some advanced alert systems incorporate text, audio alarms, and other forms of visual displays.

To understand Andon, you must understand how it supports the Jidoka quality control method. It originates with the Toyota System Corporation where the company first implemented the process of stopping a system when a defect was suspected. The concept behind Jidoka is that once the system is stopped, you get an immediate opportunity for improvement. Since there is more opportunity to find the root-cause of problems, there is a lesser chance of letting the defect continue further down the line and remaining unresolved.

Jidoka also referred to as “automation,” is used in lean manufacturing to highlight a problem as it occurs to immediately introduce counter measures that will help prevent the problem from reoccurring. Andon is a principal and a typical tool that is applied to the Jidoka principal. It is activated using a pull cord or button so that: