PRODUCTION PATHS-AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT FOR HEAVY MACHINERY PRODUCTION PLANNING AND CONTROL

The paper introduces a new concept for planning and control of complicated heavy machinery production which is based on the principle of production paths-production paths planning and control concept. The concept reflects the limited applicability of traditional concepts and systems for production planning and control in conditions of heavy machinery industry that is specific by the limited repeatability of product structures and volumes, by complicated and variant material flows and unbalanced capacity utilisation. The production path represents a production capacity reserved by time or a space and is determined for the realisation of products with the same level of production repeatability. The given principle enables categorisation of the complicated production to "fast" and "slow" production paths. The fast production path is designed for processing of products specific either by a mass or series production type. The slow path, on the other hand, is designed for the resources reserved for a production of few series or single-pieces. The proposed concept significantly reduces difficulties of heavy machinery production planning and control. It cuts work in process inventory and improves the material flow continuousness, the balance and utilisation of production resources as well as the whole production process. The benefits from the implementation of the production paths concept are verified on the forged pieces machining process.