Principles on the benefits of manufacturing process flexibility

Article Abstract:

Manufacturers can improve their responsiveness in a market characterized with uncertain future product demand by increasing their manufacturing process flexibility. Process flexibility refers to the ability to simultaneously manufacture different product lines in the same production facility. Several principles on the benefits of process flexibility are developed. These principles hold that appropriately configured limited flexibility provides most of the benefits of total flexibility and that limited flexibility is most beneficial when optimally configured to chain products and plants together. Analysis of a planning model for assigning production to plants provides support for these two principles.

Research, Management, Manufacturing processes, Manufacturing

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Ordering and production decisions with supply quality and demand uncertainty

Article Abstract:

An aggregate planning issue that directly influences the cost to a manufacturing facility of supplier quality and reliability was explored. The level of optimal production and the volume of raw material order, which can reduce the total expected cost, were calculated at the same time. It was shown that this strategy can lead to considerable savings. The cost of reliable raw material supplies were assessed and characterized, and a method of assigning capacity to various products was discussed.

Supply and demand, Industrial management, Raw materials

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Analyzing trade-offs between machine investment and utilization

Article Abstract:

An analytical approach for examining machine investment opportunities in a general systems context is presented by: discussing the interconnection between utilization and investment decisions; reviewing literature related to machine investment decisions; and developing a mathematical model that quantifies the interconnections. Also presented is an example that demonstrates the applicability of using the model which takes advantage of a systems approach.

Planning, Purchasing, Industrial equipment, Machinery, Factories

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