Lean Production Control at a High-Variety, Low-Volume Parts Manufacturer

Jos A. C. Bokhorst () and Jannes Slomp ()
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Jos A. C. Bokhorst: Department of Operations, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, 9747 AE Groningen, The Netherlands
Jannes Slomp: Department of Operations, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, 9747 AE Groningen, The Netherlands

Interfaces, 2010, vol. 40, issue 4, 303-312

Abstract: Eaton Electric General Supplies, a parts manufacturing unit that supplies parts for Eaton's electrical business unit, implemented several lean control elements in its high-variety, low-volume production units. These control elements include a constant work-in-process mechanism to limit and control the amount of work in process, first-in-first-out sequencing to control the order of departing jobs, and takt time to control the timing of departing jobs. We conducted a simulation study to (1) illustrate the control-element operations for planners and supervisors, (2) indicate the general applicability of the elements, and (3) support the development of a production progress screen to support the workers in the production units.

Keywords: CONWIP; FIFO; takt time; high-variety; low-volume; simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:orinte:v:40:y:2010:i:4:p:303-312

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