materials flow management

materials flow management

the organization of the flow of materials within a factory based upon the breaking down of manufacturing processes into detailed elements. The aim of materials flow management is to reduce manufacturing throughput time by seeking to reduce waste in the process.

Materials flow analysis generally involves three main types of documentation: assembly drawings which specify how the components in a manufactured product should be put together; assembly or Gozinto charts which are derived from the assembly drawings and which show each sequential step in the assembly process; operations process sheets or routing sheets which are derived from the assembly chart and which show in detail the operations and routing required for each individual component along with any tools and equipment needed.

In addition, where firms seek to analyse and improve materials flows they may employ ACTIVITY CHARTS which represent assembly activities in terms of standardized symbols. See MATERIALS MANAGEMENT, MATERIALS REQUIREMENT PLANNING, MANUFACTURING RESOURCE PLANNING, OPTIMIZED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY.