Shop Floor Production Control Systems

What is Shop Floor Production Control Systems?

Shop Floor Production Control Systems

Shop floor production control systems are an essential component of modern manufacturing processes. These systems play a crucial role in managing and controlling the production activities that take place on the shop floor. In simple terms, they help ensure that the right products are produced at the right time, in the right quantities, and with the right resources.

One of the primary functions of shop floor production control systems is to assign priority to each shop order. A shop order refers to a specific task or job that needs to be completed on the shop floor. By assigning priorities, these systems help determine the order in which different tasks should be executed. This ensures that the most critical or time-sensitive orders are given the necessary attention and resources, minimizing delays and optimizing production efficiency.

Another important aspect of these systems is their ability to maintain work-in-process quantity information. Work-in-process (WIP) refers to the inventory of partially completed products that are currently being worked on. Shop floor production control systems keep track of the quantity of WIP at various stages of the production process. This information is crucial for effective planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.

Furthermore, these systems provide actual output data for capacity control purposes. Capacity control involves managing and optimizing the utilization of available resources, such as machines, equipment, and labor. By providing real-time data on the actual output of the production process, these systems enable manufacturers to monitor and control their capacity utilization. This helps identify bottlenecks, balance workloads, and make informed decisions to maximize productivity.

In addition to capacity control, shop floor production control systems also provide quantity by location by shop order for work-in-process inventory and accounting purposes. This means that manufacturers can track the quantity of products at different locations within the shop floor, as well as associate them with specific shop orders. This information is vital for inventory management, cost accounting, and ensuring accurate and timely delivery of products to customers.

Overall, shop floor production control systems are indispensable tools for managing and controlling the production activities on the shop floor. They enable manufacturers to assign priorities, maintain work-in-process quantity information, monitor capacity utilization, and track inventory for accounting purposes. By leveraging these systems effectively, manufacturers can enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality products to their customers in a timely manner.