This defect detection system automatically or manually stops the production operation and/or equipment whenever an abnormal or defective condition arises. Any necessary improvements can then be made by directing attention to the stopped equipment and the worker who stopped the operation. The Jidoka system shows faith in the worker as a thinker and allows all workers the right to stop the line on which they are working.
It is essential to halt the line when there’s a problem. “If the line doesn’t stop, useless, defective items will move on to the next stage. If you don’t know where the problem occurred, you can’t do anything to fix it. That’s where the concept of visual control comes from. The tool for this is the andon electric light board.”