APPLICATION OF OPTIMIZED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN A CAPACITY CONSTRAINED FLOW-SHOP - A CASE-STUDY IN A BATTERY FACTORY

An application of the OPT principles and some simple scheduling rules without the sophisticated OPT software in a four-stage capacity constr ained flow shop is demonstrated by using a medium-sized battery factor y as a case study. The throughput and inventory performances of OPT po licy are evaluated and compared with those of push and pull policies b y using a simulation study. The performances of OPT are attractive. Al though, the OPT policy has relatively low inventory level, it can stil l maintain relatively high throughput rate.