We have recently taken to setting jobs up in BOM order. So, when the job is kitted (for turn-key jobs), or verified (for consigned jobs), the job is organized in either BOM order or in the order shown on the Components in Layout report printed from our MyDatas. This has sped up our data-input time into the machines.
We have also recently started assigning an additional resource to the set-up process step. We've got a small shop, and, generally, the machine operator sets up the feeders on a per job basis. To maximize the mix of jobs going through the machine, we assign a secondary resource to set up the next job, while the operator keeps the current job running. This has minimized the machine down-time for set-up; although, it does require having enough additional magazines/feeders to set up multiple jobs.
With your current process, I'd recommend providing the feeder setup sheets or whatever defines how you want your machines loaded to the kitting process. Have them arrange the parts on the rack in order of those sheets to eliminate your machine operators from having to do this. That way, your machine operators can focus on keeping the machine running.
cheers ..rob
reply »