Develop a plan for a facility to produce a specified product.

Development of a facility plan, given a manufacturing system and product, should consist of

  • investigating the regulations of the locality related to the manufacturing of the product
  • selecting operations
  • determining product vs. process orientation
  • sequencing operations
  • tooling
  • designing plant layout
  • creating a materials handling system (e.g., scheduling materials procurement, storing in adequate space, putting into production)
  • standardizing where possible (even across different products)
  • future-proofing the facility to changes in demand or product mix.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • How is a flow process chart used to develop a production schedule?
  • What are factors to consider before "tooling up" for production?
  • What factors should be considered when preparing a plant layout?
  • How is the handling of scrap, waste, and re-work facilitated?
  • What is the difference between a pre-material and post-material handling system?
  • What is the difference between just-in-time materials procurement and a continuous system?