SMED, or Single-Minute Exchange of Die, is a lean manufacturing technique aimed at reducing the time it takes to switch from one production process to another. The goal is to minimize downtime during equipment changeovers, allowing for more efficient production and increased flexibility. By streamlining these processes, companies can respond more quickly to customer demands and reduce waste. The SMED methodology involves analyzing and categorizing tasks into internal and external activities. Internal activities are those that can only be performed when the machine is stopped, while external activities can be done while the machine is running. By converting as many internal tasks to external ones as possible, organizations can significantly cut changeover times.