Aspects of a Rota Cycle Manufacturing System

Abstract

Any manufacturing organisation is dependent upon the effectiveness of the constituent functions for its overall success and ability to meet given criteria. Often these criteria are in conflict with each other and therefore the system becomes one of compromise. This work considers the manufacture of components in a press shop where the manufacturing programme is scheduled according to the principle of rota cycle scheduling. The effect of adopting this method of manufacture is considered in relation to (1) batch sizes (2) subcontracting (3) storage of components (4) trim loss (5) scheduling A theoretical analysis was made of each of the above fields and feasible solutions to the resulting problems proposed. Standard operational research techniques were applicable in some instances, but others required the development of original techniques. The results of the analysis were applied within an industrial environment and