SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die)

SMED is a process for changing production equipment from one part number to another in as little time as possible. Its target is to reduce changeover times to a single digit, meaning less than 10 minutes. The method, based on Shigeo Shingo's insights of the 1950s and 1960s, separates internal setup operations that require the machine to be stopped from external operations that can be done while it runs, then converts internal operations into external ones.

Source checked2/2 values · 2026-10-25Methodology

Specification

1 source

Kind	methodology
Origin	Shigeo Shingo

Study notes

Developed from Shigeo Shingo's insights of the 1950s and 1960s.
Internal setup operations can only be performed when the machine is stopped, for example inserting a new die.
External setup operations can be performed while the machine is running, for example transporting the new die to the machine.
The method involves separating internal from external setup operations and then converting internal setup operations to external operations.
Single digit changeover time means less than 10 minutes.
Source cited: Shingo 1985, p. 21-25.
Cross-references in the document: Changeover, Setup Reduction, Shingo, Shigeo (1909-1990).