Optimized Production Technology Research Articles

The integrity of the pressure containment of the high-temperature reactor

Abstract The safety concept for ensuring the integrity of the pressure retaining containment is determined by the structural and system-specific inherent safety characteristics and features of the high-temperature reactor. The integrity of the pressure retaining containment, i.e. the elimination of a major failure, is achieved by a system of measures ensuring a high standard of quality and safety. The fundamental cornerstones of this safety concepts are the stringent requirements in the design and manufacture in view of an optimized production technology as well as specific structural solutions such as, e.g., the prestressed concrete reactor vessel. Additional safety measures such as the quality control performed independently of the manufacturer's works and the in-service inspection, have to be considered as redundant safety measures. The in-service inspection can be limited to the confirmation of safety-relevant data and analysis of deviations from these data. Recurrent non-destructive tests within the PCRV are not required, however, possible to a certain extent.

Capacity planning in MRP, JIT and OPT: A critique

This paper discusses how well recent production-inventory control systems such as Material Requirements Planning, Just-In-Time production and Optimized Production Technology, behave in environments where capacity constraints are prevalent. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the mechanisms of production-inventory systems. Emphasis is on the potential of these systems to deal with capacity constraints (e.g. bottleneck facilities) and on their strengths and weaknesses. It is also shown what the main differences and similarities are and how these production-inventory control systems can complement each other in many situations rather than being mutually exclusive.

The Management of Manufacturing Operations: An Appraisal of Recent Developments

A detailed analysis of Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Kanban, optimised Production Technology (OPT) and Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), including the applied assumptions behind these and their limitations and weaknesses, shows that each system is sound in its own way and can accomplish low cost, high quality, on‐time production. People problems, however, can destroy the effectiveness of any system and in this respect Kanban and OPT systems solve the majority of people problems, while FMS installations, by design, eliminate most problems of this type. The experience gained during the coming decade may lead factory managers to use two or more of these systems side by side.