This book describes both the essential features of Just-In-Time (JIT) how JIT can be successfully approaches to manufacturing and implemented. JIT marks a significant departure from previous western approaches to manufacturing management, and aims to improve quality levels and customer service while decreasing lead times and inventory levels. The use of simple though effective methods can, with proper management, lead to continual improvements in the manufacturing operation. A number of companies have now implemented JIT and some of these implementations have been very successful. However, what is becoming increasingly clear is that there is a significant number of JIT implementations that fail to achieve the potential benefits of JIT. It is not an easy task, and there are a number of pitfalls that await the unwary manager. My motivation for writing this book has been my experience of working with companies that have been successful in JIT and of seeing what needs to be done and how the implementing most common pitfalls can be avoided. The book is oriented towards batch manufacturing since this accounts for a large proportion of manufacturing in most western countries. Other types (including process, mass and jobbing) can also profitably use many of the JIT techniques to improve their operation.

Master production scheduling II 60 On-line scheduling 65 Specific data requirements 69 Mailbox approaches 70 Conclusion 72 Chapter 7: Cell Level Control 75 Introduction 75 CCS classification 77 What is a cell? 78 CCS operational modes 80 Conclusion 86 Chapter 8: Equipment Level Control 89 Introduction 89 What is meant by equipment? 90 Equipment level control structure 92 Conclusion 94 Chapter 9: Conclusion and Future Trends 95 Overall production planning and control functions 98 Future trends 100 Conclusion 102 Appendix I: Master Production Scheduling II 103 References 107 Index 109 Preface This book is intended as an introduction to production planning and control of automated manufacturing systems. As such, it links together two diverse fields of interest: in the area of production planning and control there is a large body of work completed in analytical models, computer structures and overall systems; equally, for the hardware and detailed control aspects of the equipment used (for example, NC machines, robots, etc), comprehensive studies have also been completed. To cover each area fully would result in a work of several volumes. Instead, this book stresses the important elements of both areas that are vital to effective production planning and control of the whole automated manufacturing system.