Single-minute exchange of die

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Single-minute digit exchange of die (SMED) is one of the many lean production methods for reducing inefficiencies in a manufacturing process. It provides a rapid and efficient way of converting a manufacturing process from running the current product to running the next product. This is key to reducing production lot sizes, and reducing uneven flow (Mura), production loss, and output variability.

The phrase "single minute" does not mean that all changeovers and startups should only take one minute, rather, it should take less than 10 minutes ("single-digit minute").^[1] A closely associated yet more difficult concept is one-touch exchange of die (OTED), which says changeovers can and should take less than 100 seconds. A die is a tool used in manufacturing. However, SMED's utility is not limited to manufacturing (see value stream mapping).