Innovation Rainmakers

Principle

34. Rejecting and Regenerating Parts

a. After it has completed its function or become useless reject

or modify (e.g., discard, dissolve or evaporate)

an element of an object

b. Restore directly any used up parts of an object

Principle Description: Rejecting and regenerating parts of a system are, in actuality, two principles in one. Rejecting removes something from the system. Regeneration restores something to the system for reuse.

Hints on Usage: Timing plays a critical role in the utilization of this principle. Once a function has been completed, remove it immediately from the system or, immediately restore it for reuse.
Lean systems are built upon these concepts. Look for ways to change the system so that it only carries what is absolutely required. What can you remove or restore to reduce size? What strength is critical, what can you weaken, what has been over-designed? Is there too much (more than absolutely necessary) support? What actions can be eliminated or combined (reused)? Are there substances that can be removed, combined, or recycled? Consider how the waste is created or removed from the system. Is it immediate or delayed? Can the timing of the creation or removal be made to correspond to the timing of where it may be needed elsewhere in the system?

Examples:

Stream management and lean thinking reutilize waste streams and recycle kanban cards.

Many companies use a changing level of employees based on capacity changes. Temporary work forces provide the advantage of being there when needed — and being expendable when not.

Shape memory materials can be restored to there original shape by applying heat (regenerating).

Businesses recycle their waste, and often sell that waste as a new product if a substantial market exists.

Self-healing material for automobiles are being worked on. One vision is that when the material is damaged, polymers will be released to repair the damage (regeneration).

Dysfunctional relationships can heal when the victimized partner rejects (rejection) the behavior of their counterpart insisting on counseling (regeneration). If they can negotiate this successfully a deeper relationship can form.

Chemicals are put into light bulbs allowing the filament to be restored as it degrades (regeneration). In the same light bulb, a device called a getter absorbs oxygen (an environmental waste) to prevent filament damage.

In today’s army, many soldiers are required to carry numerous batteries to support the need for electronic equipment in the battlefield. The batteries are heavy and in many cases are disposed of at the end of their use.

Fuel cell technology is being developed to provide a regenerative source of energy that will use diesel fuel that is readily available in the battlefield.

In the plastics industry, the molded plastic waste stream is reground up and mixed in with virgin material at a rate of up to 30%. It is then remolded into new parts.

Gas turbine engines use the rejected waste heat to preheat the inlet air in order to squeeze extra performance from the engine.