Strategic Modernization of a Small Manufacturing Facility Using a Systems Approach.

摘要

This paper presents the results of an effort to reengineer several manufacturing processes at a small microwave printed circuit board production facility. Emphasis was placed on improving the cleaning, developing, etching, and stripping manufacturing processes. This work was performed at Modular Components National (MCN), located in Bel Air, Maryland. The author studied the industry in which MCN participates in order to ensure that any changes made would improve the company's competitive posture within the industry. Company operations as a whole were then evaluated to uncover system-wide problems. Once the most promising improvement area was found, each process within that area was analyzed in detail to determine the critical process parameters. A literature search was conducted and equipment requirements were define. Emphasis was placed on environmentally-conscious manufacturing and on minimizing the amount of manual material handling. Once set in place, the machines had to be modified and fine-tuned to the company products and processes. The author worked extensively to test out the new equipment and to determine the optimal speeds and feeds for different input materials. Cost data were gathered and a cost-benefit analysis was performed on a part critical to the company's long-term relationship with Westinghouse, a major purchaser.