Definition
Japanese "Auto-release": when the process is completed, the work is automatically discharged and the unloading does not take the operator's hand; self-inflicted the 6th floor of the 7th floor.
In detail
Automatic unloading is the sixth level of the Seven Levels of Jidoka, referring to the automatic ejection of workpieces from equipment after process completion, eliminating the need for operators to manually remove parts. In the system, it addresses reducing manual intervention, shortening takt time, and avoiding waiting or safety hazards caused by manual part removal, serving as a key step toward unmanned production. Unlike the adjacent "automatic reset" (fifth level), which is about the equipment resetting to receive the next workpiece, automatic unloading is about ejecting the workpiece once the normal cycle finishes — and orienting it so the next process can load it directly, which is a precondition for Chaku-Chaku (one-piece flow with the operator decoupled from the machine). Typical outputs include equipment modification plans, standard work updates, and smoother material flow.
Example in practice
On an assembly line, after each press-fit operation, the operator had to reach into the fixture to remove the workpiece and place it in the next station, taking about 5 seconds each time and posing a pinch risk. After introducing an automatic ejection device, the workpiece is pushed out to a chute upon completion, and the operator only needs to pick it up at the end of the chute, eliminating the reaching motion and reducing cycle time. After the modification, the operator can attend to two machines simultaneously, improving line balance and significantly reducing safety risks.