SIPOC Diagram Suppliers Inputs Processes Outputs Customers Who supplies the process inputs? What inputs are required? What are the major steps in the process? What are the process outputs? Who receives the outputs? Wood suppliers Crafts people (Senior Luthiers/Luthiers) Selecting and drying the wood Quality guitars Musicians Metal suppliers Computer numerical controlled equipment (CNC) Rough-cutting the wood Customized guitars Guitar Collectors Electronics suppliers Highest grade tone wood Bending the sides Workers Hardware suppliers Dehumidifying kiln Cutting the top and back Music stores Adhesive suppliers Woodworking tools Cutting the neck Individual customers Lacquer suppliers Water Applying the finish Distributors Braces Completing final assembly and setup Fret boards Quality Inspection person by person Guitar necks Lacquer Bridge Suppliers It's important for guitar manufacturers to carefully select and maintain relationships with their suppliers to ensure they receive high-quality materials and components that meet their specifications. Good supplier relationships can also help with pricing, lead times, and quality control. Wood suppliers: Wood suppliers provide the highest grade tone wood required for guitar manufacturing. They specialize in providing tonewoods for musical instruments and offer a range of wood species, grades, and cuts. Examples of tonewood suppliers include Luthiers Mercantile International, Allied Lutherie, and LMI. Metal suppliers: Metal suppliers provide the metal components required for the guitar, such as the tuning machines, fret wire, and bridge. They offer a range of metals, including brass, steel, and nickel silver, and may provide custom fabrication services. Examples of metal suppliers include StewMac, Jescar, and Gotoh. Electronics suppliers: Electronics suppliers provide the electronic components required for electric guitars, such as pickups, switches, and potentiometers. They offer a range of components with different specifications and may provide custom wiring services. Examples of electronics suppliers include Seymour Duncan, EMG, and DiMarzio. Hardware suppliers: Hardware suppliers provide the hardware components required for the guitar, such as screws, nuts, and bolts. They offer a range of hardware options with different finishes and sizes. Examples of hardware suppliers include McMaster-Carr, Bolt Depot, and Small Parts Inc. Adhesive suppliers: Adhesive suppliers provide the glue and adhesives required for the guitar, such as wood glue, cyanoacrylate, and epoxy. They offer a range of adhesives with different properties and bonding strengths. Examples of adhesive suppliers include Titebond, Gorilla Glue, and Loctite. Lacquer suppliers: Lacquer suppliers provide the finish required for the guitar, such as nitrocellulose lacquer or polyurethane. They offer a range of finishes with different sheen levels, colors, and durability. Examples of lacquer suppliers include Mohawk Finishing Products, Sherwin-Williams, and Minwax. Inputs Understanding the required inputs is important for guitar manufacturers to source and manage their resources efficiently, reduce waste, and ensure the quality of their guitars. Proper selection and management of the inputs can also contribute to the sustainability of the guitar manufacturing process. Craftspeople (Senior Luthiers/Luthiers): Highly skilled craftspeople, including senior luthiers and luthiers, are required to handcraft and assemble the guitar parts. They need to have a deep understanding of woodwork, electronics, and guitar assembly to create high-quality instruments. Senior Luthiers and Luthiers have a deep understanding of guitar construction, design, and acoustics, and are able to work with precision and attention to detail. Computer numerical controlled equipment (CNC): CNC machines are used to cut and shape the wood to the desired dimensions and shapes with a high level of accuracy. These machines can also be used to create intricate designs and patterns on the guitar body and neck. Highest grade tone wood: The quality of the wood used in guitar manufacturing can affect the sound and overall quality of the guitar. Therefore, it is crucial to use high-quality tone wood, such as spruce, cedar, and mahogany, that is carefully selected for its acoustic properties. Dehumidifying kiln: The dehumidifying kiln is used to dry the wood to the desired moisture content. This is important to prevent warping or cracking of the wood during the guitar manufacturing process. Woodworking tools: A variety of woodworking tools are required to shape the wood, including saws, planes, chisels, and sanders. Water: Water is used in the guitar manufacturing process to soften the wood and make it easier to bend and shape. Braces: Braces are used to reinforce the guitar body and distribute the tension of the strings evenly. Fret boards: The fret board is attached to the guitar neck and is used to position the frets accurately. Guitar necks: The guitar neck is an essential component of the guitar and must be carefully crafted and shaped to provide comfort and playability. Lacquer: Lacquer is applied to the guitar body to protect the wood and create a smooth and shiny finish. Bridge: The bridge is a component that holds the strings in place and transfers their vibrations to the guitar body, contributing to the guitar's overall sound. Processes Understanding the guitar manufacturing process is important to optimize production and ensure that the guitars produced meet quality standards and customer expectations. Improving the efficiency and quality of each step of the process can lead to increased customer satisfaction, reduced waste, and improved profitability. Selecting and drying the wood: The quality of the wood used in guitar manufacturing can affect the sound and overall quality of the guitar. Therefore, it is crucial to select high-quality wood and properly dry it to prevent warping or cracking. This process involves selecting high-quality wood that is suitable for guitar manufacturing. The wood is then dried to a specific moisture content to ensure it is stable and won't warp or crack over time. Rough-cutting the wood: This process involves using saws and other cutting tools to cut the wood into the rough shape of the guitar body, neck, and headstock. The wood is rough-cut to the approximate shape of the guitar body, neck, and headstock. The wood is then allowed to acclimate for a period to minimize any changes in shape or size that could occur during the manufacturing process. Bending the sides: This process involves using heat and pressure to bend the sides of the guitar body into the desired shape. The sides are then clamped in place until they cool and retain their shape. Cutting the top and back: This process involves using saws and other cutting tools to cut the top and back of the guitar to the desired shape and size. The top and back are then sanded and prepared for assembly. Cutting the neck: This process involves cutting the neck of the guitar to the desired size and shape. The fretboard is then attached to the neck, and the neck is sanded and prepared for assembly. Applying the finish: This process involves applying a finish to the guitar body, neck, and headstock. The finish can include paint, lacquer, or other coatings that protect the wood and give it a polished appearance. Completing final assembly and setup: This process involves assembling all the components of the guitar, including the body, neck, hardware, electronics, and strings. The guitar is then set up and adjusted to ensure it plays correctly and is comfortable to play. Quality Inspection person by person: This process involves a thorough inspection of each guitar to ensure that it meets quality standards. Any defects or issues are identified and addressed before the guitar is shipped to customers. Understanding the key steps in the manufacturing process can help manufacturers identify areas for improvement and optimize the process to reduce waste, improve quality, and increase efficiency. Customers Understanding the needs and preferences of different customers is important for guitar manufacturers to design and produce guitars that meet their requirements. This can help manufacturers to increase customer satisfaction, reduce waste, and improve profitability. Music stores: Music stores are one of guitar manufacturers' main customers. They purchase guitars in bulk and sell them to individual customers. These stores require a variety of guitar models and styles to cater to their diverse customers' needs. In addition, the music stores also require guitars that meet quality standards and are defect-free. Individual customers: These individuals are end-users who buy guitars for personal use. They have specific preferences for guitar models, styles, and features, such as the type of wood used, the size of the neck, and the pickups. These customers have different skill levels and playing styles that may influence their choice of guitar. Collectors: Guitar collectors are a niche market interested in collecting rare and unique guitars globally. Often they are interested in purchasing vintage guitars or guitars that have been used and autographed by famous musicians. Guitar collectors often have a high level of knowledge and expertise about guitars and are willing to pay a premium for rare and valuable instruments. Distributors: This set of people or corporations buy guitars from manufacturers and sell them to music stores, online retailers, and other customers. Usually, they require a steady supply of guitars to meet the demand of their customers within their location or globally via online sales. Distributors may also require guitars that meet specific quality standards and have specific features to cater to their customers' needs. Discuss the process SCGC followed in putting together a quality equipment. Map out the process steps SCGC followed, decision points, & timing - What was the cycle time to complete quality equipment? - Use Time function Map to establish Cycle time. If case study is silent about timings at any stage(s) you may assume and mention in Time function map - Knowing what you know now, suggest any two processes to be improved - Re-map your assignment process, with the two process improvement ideas included -