Integrated Production Model in Agile Manufacturing Systems

To reach the goals of quick response to customers’ needs and increasing the flexibility of producing goods, we integrate "push" and "pull" production models, which are the most popular production systems nowadays, for controlling automated manufacturing systems. This integrated production model can best be applied in an agile manufacturing environment. Push systems, involving MRP calculations, are the basis of distributing materials to the plant. Pull systems the so-called just-in-time (JIT) systems, produce products that exactly meet customers requirements. By introducing the concept of the theory of constraints (TOC) and optimised production technology (OPT), the integrated production model is made possible. Optimised production technology, based on the theory of constraints is the most important theory for manipulating constraint resources in a production line employing both the push and pull concepts. By merging these two fundamental principles, an integrated push and pull production paradigm is developed. This work aims at finding a production model for manufacturers to apply in continuously and unanticipated changing competitive environments. ID="A1" Correspondence and offprint requests to: Dr H.-H. Huang, Department of Industrial Management, National Pintung University of Science and Technology, 1 Hseuh-Fu Road, Nei-Pu Hsiang, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan. E-mail: hhuang@mail.npust.edu.tw