Jidoka

Jidoka, means, in the production context, not allowing defective parts to go from one work station to the next. It specifically refers to machines or the production line itself being able to stop automatically in abnormal conditions (for example, when a machine breaks down or when defective parts are produced). This Autonomation (as it is also called) allows machines to run autonomously, as they will stop when a problem occurs. Ultimately, it is about transferring human (or better) intelligence to machines.

Jidoka is also used when individual people encounter a problem at their work station. They are responsible for correcting the problem - if they cannot, they should stop the line rather than let the defective part do.

The principle was first used by Sakichi Toyoda at the beginning of the 20th century when he invented a loom which stopped when the thread broke. 

See also: