---Manufacturing Publications

Industry Week Many articles and resources on this site cover the subject of producing goods and services, including the latest trends in manufacturing and emerging technologies. Quality Progress Most articles are not available in full-text, but the abstracts summarize the essential points. Automotive Manufacturing & Production You can learn a great deal about manufacturing techniques and trends by reading selected articles from this magazine.

---Advanced Production Technologies and Approaches

Cobots for the assembly line As opposed to robots, which implement a task without human participation, cobots are computer-based tools that assist in manual work, such as moving heavy objects or repetitive tasks. Cobots help to make human work safer and less strenuous. Cells and high volumes A discussion of how to increase productivity and decrease waste by dividing a large manufacturing operation into smaller cells, each with its own workspace. Then, each cell is designed for optimal efficiency, such as a U-shaped work area-to reduce walking distance among individual work stations.

---Methods for Scheduling Projects

Introduction to PERT Includes the advantages of using PERT for scheduling and the basics of how a PERT chart is constructed, including the terms for each element of a PERT chart (Duration, Earliest Start Time, Critical Path, etc.). PERT and Gantt Charts for a New Business A general list of tasks for starting a new company is presented. Then, see how that list is converted into both PERT and Gantt charts.

---Total Quality Management and Reengineering

What is Total Quality Management? by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Complete definition of Total Quality Management and lists of what TQM can and cannot do for an organization. Then, look at the pitfalls that may contribute to a failed TQM effort, followed by the best practices of quality-oriented organizations in seven major areas: customer focus, leadership, employee involvement, innovation, improvement measurement, process improvement, and change management. "Baldridge Index" Outperforms S&P for Fourth Year Press release for Feb. 9, 1998: Stock values of companies winning the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, such as Federal Express and Motorola, have outperformed the Standard and Poors Index for four years in a row. CIGNA Corporation: Laying New Organizational Roots with Reengineering by Vicki J.Powers. Learn about the company's efforts to make major changes to its operations through a reengineering program. The article describes the steps the company took to implement the program, the results achieved and key lessons learned. The Iams Company: Building Quality From Day One by Vicki J. Powers. Iams, a pet food company, does everything it can to make its product high quality. It emphasizes the importance of quality in its training for every employee. Quality encompasses the food, the speed and reliability of delivery and support for retailers and customers.

---Company Profiles

Get online factory tours of Hershey's, Boeing, Yorkville Sound and Buell Motorcycle. Also, learn about innovative manufacturing techniques at General Electric.

---Exercises

Building a Factory in a Foreign Country A variety of articles and resources will help you identify both the risks and opportunities of investing in a foreign country.

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