A method in which the principle of piece handling is applied in a cell where machines automatically unload parts. This allows the operator (or operators) to transfer a part directly from one machine to the next without unloading it first. This saves both time and operations.
An example: the first machine in a machining sequence automatically unloads a part once its cycle is complete. The operator brings the part to the next machine in the sequence, which has just finished its cycle and also unloaded a part. The operator inserts the new part, starts the machine and brings the unloaded part to the next machine, which has just finished its cycle and unloaded its part. This is how it continues throughout the cell. In Japanese, the term literally means "load-loading.