1. ICT in Product Manufacture ICT based Production Scheduling and Logistics

2. Because manufacturing systems, such as Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) require major capital investment, it is important to get the most from the equipment. Because manufacturing systems, such as Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) require major capital investment, it is important to get the most from the equipment. Traditional production scheduling is quite rigid and will stop in case of breakdown or changes in production. Traditional production scheduling is quite rigid and will stop in case of breakdown or changes in production. Computer-based scheduling and logistics systems ensure that production is 'smoothed' so that small variations in supply and demand are managed without causing problems. This is achieved by careful planning which spreads the product mix and quantities evenly over each day in a month. Computer-based scheduling and logistics systems ensure that production is 'smoothed' so that small variations in supply and demand are managed without causing problems. This is achieved by careful planning which spreads the product mix and quantities evenly over each day in a month.

3. The advantages of computer-based production scheduling The advantages of computer-based production scheduling are: Flexible fast responses to changing conditions. Flexible fast responses to changing conditions. Optimisation of work in progress. Optimisation of work in progress. Reduced inventory. Reduced inventory. Production is balanced between different work stations on the production line. Production is balanced between different work stations on the production line. Increased productivity levels. Increased productivity levels. A computer based graphical display in production scheduling software.

4. Automated stock control using ‘just in time’ Manufacturing systems such as Just in Time (JIT) rely on sophisticated, automated ICT- based stock control systems. Bar codes or other methods of identification allow materials and components to be monitored in real time throughout production. Bar codes or other methods of identification allow materials and components to be monitored in real time throughout production. Automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can be used for material and component handling. Automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can be used for material and component handling.

5. Advantages of ASC using JIT Waste is minimised. Waste is minimised. Inventory is optimised but available on demand. Inventory is optimised but available on demand. Automated stock control systems enable the move from batch to continuous flow production. Automated stock control systems enable the move from batch to continuous flow production. Waiting times caused by unbalanced production times are reduced through the use of scheduling techniques, such as line balancing. Waiting times caused by unbalanced production times are reduced through the use of scheduling techniques, such as line balancing. People have to work night shifts with continous production, which has negative impacts on health: robots need looking after, and there are still many jobs only humans can do. People have to work night shifts with continous production, which has negative impacts on health: robots need looking after, and there are still many jobs only humans can do.

6. Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) Agile manufacturing An agile manufacturer is first to the market with high quality, value for money, consumer focussed products. Agile manufacturers work in partnerships with customers and suppliers, and use FMS to achieve their agility. An agile manufacturer is first to the market with high quality, value for money, consumer focussed products. Agile manufacturers work in partnerships with customers and suppliers, and use FMS to achieve their agility. A machining cell

7. Flexible Manufacturing Systems A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is a manufacturing system that allows the system to react to changes. This flexibility is generally considered to fall into two categories, which both contain many subcategories: A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is a manufacturing system that allows the system to react to changes. This flexibility is generally considered to fall into two categories, which both contain many subcategories:manufacturing systemmanufacturing system 1.Machine flexibility, covers the system's ability to be changed to produce new product types, and ability to change the order of operations on a part. 1.Machine flexibility, covers the system's ability to be changed to produce new product types, and ability to change the order of operations on a part. 2. Routing flexibility, which consists of the ability to use multiple machines to perform the same operation on a part, as well as the system's ability to absorb large-scale changes, such as in volume, capacity, or capability. 2. Routing flexibility, which consists of the ability to use multiple machines to perform the same operation on a part, as well as the system's ability to absorb large-scale changes, such as in volume, capacity, or capability.machines

8. Components of a FMS Most FMS systems are comprised of three main systems: Most FMS systems are comprised of three main systems: 1. The work machines which are often automated CNC machines are connected by 1. The work machines which are often automated CNC machines are connected by 2. a material handling system to optimize parts flow and 2. a material handling system to optimize parts flow and 3. the central control computer which controls material movements and machine flow. 3. the central control computer which controls material movements and machine flow. Increased productivity increases profits, yet workers’ wages have not increased over the last 25 years. Most of the increased wealth has gone to the capitalists. There has been a flow of wealth from poor to rich over the last 25 years. Now the hamans have been replaced by robots. The humans as a whole do not seem to be living much better as a result.

9. Advantages of FMS: High flexibility in managing resources like time and effort. High flexibility in managing resources like time and effort. Productivity increment due to automation Productivity increment due to automation Productivity Preparation (lead time) time for new products is shorter due to flexibility Preparation (lead time) time for new products is shorter due to flexibility Saved labor cost, due to automation Saved labor cost, due to automation Improved production quality, due to automation Improved production quality, due to automation It is not always necessary that increasing flexibility also increases productivity. It is not always necessary that increasing flexibility also increases productivity.

10. A flexible manufacturing cell A flexible manufacturing cell (FMC) consists of two or more CNC machines, a cell computer and a robot. The cell computer (typically a programmable logic controller) is interfaced with the microprocessors of the robot and the CNCs. A flexible manufacturing cell (FMC) consists of two or more CNC machines, a cell computer and a robot. The cell computer (typically a programmable logic controller) is interfaced with the microprocessors of the robot and the CNCs.

11. Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) is a companywide strategy to cut lead times in all phases of manufacturing and office operations. Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) is a companywide strategy to cut lead times in all phases of manufacturing and office operations. QRM focuses on the production of small batches such as advertising or promotional gifts. QRM focuses on the production of small batches such as advertising or promotional gifts. Real-time reprogramming of manufacturing is a production management tool that offers high- volume, rapid turnover manufacturers savings in time to market and increased business efficiency. Real-time reprogramming of manufacturing is a production management tool that offers high- volume, rapid turnover manufacturers savings in time to market and increased business efficiency.

12. QRM advantages and a disadvantage QRM aims to provide a better 'time to market'. QRM aims to provide a better 'time to market'. Stock levels are constantly re-evaluated as demand patterns change. Stock levels are constantly re-evaluated as demand patterns change. The impact of changes to the business or a manufacturing process will be immediately reviewable from anywhere in the world. The impact of changes to the business or a manufacturing process will be immediately reviewable from anywhere in the world. QRM also presents the possibility for disastrous levels of confusion unless the information flow is carefully managed by an effective PDM system using highly integrated knowledge base. QRM also presents the possibility for disastrous levels of confusion unless the information flow is carefully managed by an effective PDM system using highly integrated knowledge base.

13. SUMMARY ICT based Production Scheduling and Logistics ICT based Production Scheduling and Logistics The advantages of computer-based production scheduling. The advantages of computer-based production scheduling. Automated stock control using ‘just in time’ – advantages. Automated stock control using ‘just in time’ – advantages. Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). Components of a FMS - Advantages of FMS. Components of a FMS - Advantages of FMS. Flexible manufacturing cells – advantages. Flexible manufacturing cells – advantages. Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) - advantages and a disadvantage. Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) - advantages and a disadvantage.