A SIMULATION STUDY OF CONWIP VERSUS MRP AT WESTINGHOUSE

The thrust of this research is the comparison of the constant work in process (CONWIP) order release strategy versus a typical MRP order rel ease strategy and the validation of a CONWIP model in an actual plant environment. The Westinghouse Electric-College Station, Texas Plant se rved as a test facility. This plant is a typical small batch electroni cs products manufacturer, currently using MRP for production planning. All plant operations from order kitting, order release, assembly, tes ting, inspection. and shipping were modeled. Simulation results indica te that the CONWIP order release strategy could be utilized as a valid aid in reducing plant WIP, while insuring current levels of throughpu t