Information and Knowledge Management using ArcGIS ModelBuilder

Denisa Ferenčíková
(Manufacturing Execution Systems) applications. In terms of production planning, what is especially
important is the ability to track production as well as to identify the goods produced and their material
composition. Software often has to support evidence concerning production lots in terms of costs,
waste management and, not least, lifetime management (especially in the pharmaceutical sector).
Great emphasis is also placed on quality and the ability of the system to manage it effectively
(Sodomka 2011, Vollmann 2005).
4.3 Requirements relating to planning software for repetitive line flow manufacturing
One disadvantage of line flow manufacturing is its low flexibility and risk of frequent shutdowns due to
failure of a production facility. The collapse of one machine stops the entire production process in the
manufacturing cell. Nevertheless, its advantages are low production costs and a relatively short
process time. However, what does this mean for selection of the planning system? Companies
featuring dominant line flow manufacturing should try to find applications that especially support the
pull or both the pull and push principles. The reason for this is that manufacturing cells operate on the
basis of plans but customer delivery is conducted by the pull system (Sodomka 2011, Vollmann
2005).
5. Types of production processes according to VAT analysis and software
support
VAT analysis describes the main material flow through the whole production process. The deviser of
this classification was E. M. Goldratt, author of the famous Theory of Constraints (TOC), on whose
principles APS systems are based. Classification according to VAT analysis is not actually very
commonplace but proves quite suitable for selecting planning software.
5.1 V-type manufacturing and its requirements for planning software
Production known as type V is characterized by a wide range of final products and a small amount of
purchased material. It consists of several points of divergence, in which one semi-finished product is
divided into two or more other semi-products. The technological process applicable for all products is
usually the same; i.e. comprising the same operations in the same order and using the same
resources. It is primarily utilized by the textile, steel and chemical industries (Inman 2011, Umble
1990).
Inputs Production process – type V
Outputs
Routing 1
Figure 2: V-type manufacturing (modified by Inman 2011)
One specific aspect of this type of manufacturing is a reverse bill of materials that is divided into
several different products. The materials used are usually purchased in bulk and, therefore, it is not
advisable to focus on reducing inventories and implementing JIT principles. Emphasis is placed
instead on increasing production efficiency, as well as possibly utilizing manufacturing resources and
reducing downtime. Therefore, the information system should particularly support capacity planning
and the monitoring of production parameters (e.g. OEE).
5.2 A-type manufacturing and its requirements for planning software
A-type manufacturing is inverse to the previous principle. The range of finished products is very
limited but with a production process demanding numerous subcomponents and other raw materials.
The entire production procedure consists of several points of convergent assembly, at which two or
more semi-finished products are assembled to form the next component. Such a manufacturing
506