Manufacturing System Design Framework Manual

Amanda Vaughn
Pradeep Fernandes
J. Tom Shields

The current knowledge of manufacturing systems and the lack of a generally accepted scientific basis for relating the multiple variables needed for a successful manufacturing system design argues for the development of a framework to methodically approach the manufacturing system design process, rather than attempt to create a definitive design methodology.

The Manufacturing System Design Framework is of necessity a meta-framework, containing other tools, methods, and processes applicable to the manufacturing design process. The Manufacturing System Design Framework consists of two distinct design elements: an infrastructure and a structure. In infrastructure design, the enterprise strategy defines such important attributes of the system as the operating policy, organizational structure, location, and overall operating environment that satisfies enterprise stakeholders. The structure design is the physical manifestation of the manufacturing system design, consisting of the factory layout, machines, methods, and processes. Linking the two design elements is the product strategy. Product strategy is the congruence between corporate level business strategy and different functional strategies, and involves such functional elements as marketing, product design, suppliers, and manufacturing.

This manual provides guidance to manufacturing system designers on the sequence of events that should be considered in the manufacturing system design; tools that are useful at each of the steps during the design process; and the important interrelationships between marketing, product design, manufacturing, and suppliers. In the appendices, specific infrastructure and structure tools are summarized. Subsequent studies of manufacturing system designs have shown that manufacturing system designs that followed this process correlated with better performing manufacturing systems.