STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Production Research & Management

Production Control Mechanisms and POLCA Performance in a Divergent Production Line

  1. Alireza Farnoush
  2. Magnus Wiktorsson

Abstract

Production control mechanism is a critical element in today’s production situation, where production systems compete on quick response and resource efficiency. The purpose of a production control mechanism is to define the best time to release material and orders. POLCA is a simple production control mechanism that on one hand tries to reduce throughput time and on the other hand helps the manager to control work-in-process inventory. In addition to reviewing the history of the production control mechanism and looking into some of them, the paper classifies production control mechanisms in different categories and studies more specifically a POLCA system performance in a divergent production line situation with long changeover time in the supplier cell (the shared cell which has to supply different routes). It is concluded that the best form of POLCA in a divergent production line is to push material in the first stage without any limit and then control and limit it in the second stage.

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