Modeling and controlling work‐in‐progress in discrete manufacturing systems

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply the proportional integral (PI) control algorithm in discrete manufacturing enterprises to maintain lower and steadier work in progress so as to improve on‐time delivery.Design/methodology/approach – A sensitivity constrained optimization model is designed on the frequency domain, whose optimum algebraic solutions are then obtained easily. Two controllers, a backlog controller and an input‐rate controller, are devised, which correspond to the integral control and the proportional control of PI controllers, respectively. Interacting with each other, these controllers have made the engineering implementation of PI controllers a reality.Findings – Simulation is carried out in certain motorcycle production lines. Results confirm that PI controllers also possess good control effects in the discrete manufacturing industry, as well as in the process industry.Research limitations/implications – A continued departure from the nominal may happen repeatedly if the root ...