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Research objectives of the MSDD
Manufacturing system design must satisfy numerous objectives
from a variety of disciplines: manufacturing strategy, product
development, equipment design, human work system design, operations
management, supply chain. Successful manufacturing system
design requires to structure the numerous objectives. Furthermore,
“best practices” in manufacturing system design are often
difficult to apply without understanding the underlying objectives,
which the “best practices” try to achieve. Thus, the first
goal of the MSDD is:
1. Clearly separate objectives
from the means of achievement
The clear separation of objectives and means allows designers
to relate system details to the manufacturing system objectives.
For example, manufacturing cells provide a means to satisfy
numerous system objectives. However, implementing manufacturing
cells without relating the use to system objectives may not
lead to the desired outcome. The approach presented here allows
the freedom to select among different physical implementation
alternatives. The key point is to define and then achieve
the desired set of objectives, regardless of the physical
implementation.
Another important aspect in manufacturing system design is
to keep objectives in mind throughout the design process from
preparation to detailed design to execution. However, it is
often very difficult to relate low-level decisions to high-level
objectives. As a result, there is the danger of local optimization.
The second objective of the MSDD is therefore:
2. Relate low-level activities
and decisions to high-level goals and requirements
The system designers must be able to relate low-level decisions
to the high-level system objectives. For example, equipment
can greatly influence the way the manufacturing system is
designed and operated (see
illustrative example). Thus, it is necessary that the
designers understand how the selected equipment will achieve
higher-level system design goals.
Lower-level decisions not only affect the achievement of
higher-level goals, but the decisions also interrelate with
other lower-levels decisions. For example, equipment selection
influences the man-machine interface; changeover times affect
possible run sizes. The manufacturing system design approach
must provide a means to understand the interrelationships
between design decisions to avoid local optimizations. The
third objective is:
3. Provide a means to understand
the interrelationships among the different elements of a system
design
Since manufacturing system design requires the interaction
of multiple disciplines, it is important to provide a platform
for effective communication. For example, the interface between
the operator and the machine requires ergonomically knowledge
and detailed mechanical considerations. Even more problematic
is the communication of abstract objectives to operational
targets or design specifications. The fourth objective of
the MSDD is:
4. Provide a means to effectively
communicate information across the organization
Unless there is a common mental map and a common means to
communicate objectives and means there can be no consistency
in implementation within an organization. System designers
need a road map or mental model of how to achieve the strategic
objectives of a firm.
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