Workcell Planner
Capacity Planning and Resource Optimization
Overview
The objective of the model is to provide the master scheduler or planning function with a tool for determining the overall level of capacity and distribution of capacity required to meet demand. This demand can be driven by a forecasted incoming rate or consuming a backlog within a specified time frame for a particular cell – as well as for overall plant level.
More specifically, the model:
- Translates a forecast or backlog into machine and manpower requirements for each resource in a cell and compares this with the capacity given the current man machine configuration.
- Allows easy what if analysis of the interaction of setup time, lot size, efficiency, operation yield, and work practices such as working bottlenecks through breaks.
- Allows analysis of flow with multiple setups per part vs. batch and the payoff on throughput of set up reduction results.
Bottleneck & Resource Analysis
- Clearly shows the bottleneck resource that limits cell output dynamically as factors are changed.
- Shows what can be expected from the existing man-machine configuration and can be used to set expected cell output rates, shift schedules and manning levels and easy configuration.
