Page 219 - DMGT501_OPERATIONS_MANAGEMENT

Unit 7: Process Control Charts

1. Process Focused Systems: A production system for many product categories must be Notes

flexible to process or transform the product in accordance with the client specifications or

requirements. Such production systems are based on the nature of the processes. These are
intermittent processes where each component flows from one process to another. Machines

and production facilities are arranged in groups which process different components as
required.
For example, ECIL manufactures computers for scientific applications. These are mostly

purchased by scientific research and educational institutions. Each computer has to

be custom built to the end-user’s requirement. ECIL has to develop software suited for
the applications of their customers. In such products, the processes must be capable of

meeting the individual component specifications and assembling them in their special

configurations to meet the customer specifications.

Another example is a die shop for a forging unit. There a section comprising of ‘cutting
machines’, another section for ‘shaping machines’, yet another section for ‘milling

machines’, ‘grinding machines’, boring machines’, etc., and finally a section for ‘die sinking
machines’.

The ‘die block’ is first taken to a ‘planning machine’ to make the surfaces parallel so that
reference points can be established. Then the ‘shaping machines’ help form the jointing of

the die, till it finally reaches either the spark erosion machines or the die sinking sections
for the form to be sunk into it. After the form is complete, the die moves to the finishing

section, where the die surfaces are polished and ground and undergo final inspection.
Such production systems are planning intensive. The utilization of the machines in the
different sections is dependent on the quality of planning.
2. Product Focused Systems: Many products are mass produced. These are high volume

standardized products. These systems approach continuous flow in the use of the facilities.
In the case of such systems, special processing equipment and entire dedicated production
systems are desirable. Processing is adapted completely to the product. Individual
processes are mechanized, automated and physically arranged in the sequence required in
the processing of the product and the entire system forms an integrated production system,
like one giant machine.
For example, ECIL also manufactures black and white television sets, colored television sets
and transistorized village TV receiving sets with front end converters and antennae. The other
components that ECIL manufactured for the electronics industry which included passive
components like resistors, potentiometers and capacitors (now mainly tantalum), active

components like semi-conductor devices and special diodes, thick film devices (hybrid micro-
circuits), and Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), etc., are also sensitive to the scale of production.
These types of systems have a product focus and a production objective of standardization and
low cost. To sustain these systems requires a continuous flow of raw materials and components.

Quality and inventory control are critical parameters in these systems.

How would you go about designing a process for a new product? What
would you need to do to ensure that the product provided maximum value
to the customer?

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 213