Title: Cost efficient mass customisation with a web-based manufacturing execution system

Authors: Robert Obermaier; Johann Hofmann

Addresses: University of Passau, Innstrasse 27, 94032 Passau, Germany. ' Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH, Falkensteinstrasse 8, 93059 Regensburg, Germany

Abstract: Manufacturing execution systems (MES), which allow a continuous flow of information between the systems that are part of the production process, are used in the manufacturing industry among other things as a means to facilitate mass customisation, i.e., a tremendous increase in variety and customisation without a corresponding increase in costs. Using the case of MR-CM®, an MES developed and implemented by the Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, the function of an MES when put into practice as well as the benefit potential released in this case will be illustrated. Gains in productivity were mainly achieved by reducing setup times, which in turn led to reduced production cost and increased production flexibility. Tool inventories were reduced, and thus also the expenses of capital tied up in tools. Further advantages of MES are increasing production transparency, improved capacity utilisation and process reliability.

Keywords: manufacturing execution systems; mass customisation; web-based MES; production control; productivity; setup time reduction; internet manufacturing; production costs; production flexibility; tool inventory reduction; capacity utilisation; process reliability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMASSC.2012.047397

International Journal of Mass Customisation, 2012 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.195 - 207

Published online: 17 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article