Operations Management

Manufacturing systems and the factors influencing it’s choice

Production is a conversion function by which goods and services are produced. A typical production system comprises of three main components: Inputs, Transformation process and Output.

  • Inputs are men, materials, machines, instructions, drawings, and paper work and instructions.
  • The Transformation Process involves operations, mechanical or chemical, to Change/convert inputs into outputs. It also includes activities that assist conversion,
  • Output is goods and services (e.g. products, parts, paper work, served customers etc.)

The combination of operations and activities stated above employed to create goods and services are known as manufacturing system. A manufacturing system therefore may be looked upon as an independent group of sub-systems, each sub-system performing a distinct function.… Read the rest

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Method Study Procedure

Method study is the systematic recording and critical examination of existing and proposed ways of doing work, as a means of developing and applying easier and more effective methods and reducing costs. So it is the process of analyzing the methods involved in work flow to increase productivity. It deals with doing the work in a better way, with less time and effort. That is why it is also termed as work simplification.

Method study procedure  is an organized approach and its investigation rests on the following six basic steps:

  1. Select the work to be analyzed.
  2. Record all facts relating to the existing method.
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Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance anticipates failures and adopts necessary actions to check failures before they occur. It includes activities like inspection, lubrication, cleaning unkeeps, minor adjustments and replacements found necessary at the time of inspection etc.  Its purpose is to minimize breakdowns and excessive depreciation. Neither equipment nor facilities should be allowed to go to the breaking point. In its simplest form, preventive maintenance can be compared to the service schedule for an automobile.

Preventive maintenance can be either: running maintenance or “shut down maintenance”.

  • Running maintenance includes maintenance activities e.g. minor adjustments in machines revealed through inspections, lubrication, cleaning and upkeep etc.,
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Objectives and Principles of a Good Plant Layout

Plant layout is a plan for effective utilization of facilities for the manufacture of products; involving a most efficient and economical arrangement of machines, materials, personnel, storage space and all supporting services, within available floor space. A good rather an ideal layout is one which provides maximum satisfaction to all concerned i.e. shareholders, management employees and consumers.

Objectives of a Good Plant Layout

Only through an efficient layout, the organization can attain the following objectives:

  • Economy in handling of materials, work-in-process and finished goods.
  • Minimization of product delays.
  • Lesser work-in-progress and minimum manufacturing cycle time.
  • Efficient utilization of available space.
  • Easy supervision and better production control.
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Locational Decisions and Factors Governing Plant Locations

Plant location may be understood as the function of determining where the plant should be located for maximum operating economy and effectiveness. The selection of location for a plant is one of the problems, perhaps the most important, which is faced by an entrepreneur while launching a new enterprise. A selection on pure economic considerations will ensure an easy and regular supply of raw materials, labour force, efficient plant layout, proper utilization of production capacity and reduced cost of production. An ideal location may not, by itself, guarantee success; but it certainly contributes to the smooth and efficient working of an organization.… Read the rest

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Batch Production and It’s Key Characteristics

Batch production is one of manufacturing methods where limited quantity of each type of product is authorized for manufacture at a time. It is characterized by the manufacture of a limited number of products produced at periodic intervals and stocked in warehouses as finished goods awaiting sales. Typical examples of such batch production are process industries such as pharmaceuticals, paints, chemicals, medium and heavy engineering industry engaged in the manufacture of electric motors, switch gear, heave motor vehicles, internal combustion engines; manufacturer of readymade garments etc.

Characteristics of Batch Production
  • Short Runs: Short production runs and frequent changes of setup also characterize batch production.
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