The techniques used in the “pull” production system

The "pull" manufacturing system is characterized by producing only what is required, minimizing inventory in process. To achieve this end, several particular approaches have been created, such as those described below:

Just-in Time: In which only the appropriate components, at the precise moment they are required, are manufactured.

Kan-Ban: It is a paper record that enforces just-in-time, moving with each batch of components. This can be automated using barcodes, QR codes, etc.

Manufacturing cells: Combine the requirements of a variety of products so that a set of equipment can produce each of them, as needed. This mainly applies to manufacturing and sometimes to assembly.

Batch-of-One: Refers to the ability to make any combination of items with a batch size as small as one.

Continuous improvement: Refers to the ability to find ways to improve current processes, often by combining and/or eliminating manufacturing activities.

Statistical process control: Referred to monitoring how well the process is working.

The manufacturing process had played a secondary role in product design for most of the 20th century, resulting in many problems when it came to manufacturing the products. While major aspects of manufacturing processes have been researched and implemented in physical devices for many years, the assembly process had very little beyond the rules of thumb to guide it.

Ideas for improving assembly capability and for designing cost-effective manufacturing systems only began to flourish in the late 1970s. During this period, many individuals and companies began to realize that the most rational course of action involved design. of products and the design of manufacturing systems together, which is called concurrent engineering or simultaneous engineering. A more recent term, which involves the entire company as well as suppliers and customers, is known as collaborative engineering.