After a brief introductory chapter, Factory Physics 3/e is divided into three parts: I – The Lessons of History; II – Factory Physics; and III – Principles in Practice. The scientific approach to manufacturing and supply chain management, developed in Part II, is unique to this text. No other text or professional book provides a rigorous, principles-based foundation for manufacturing management. The Third Edition offers tighter connections between Lean Manufacturing, MRP/ERP, Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management, and Factory Physics. In addition to enhancing the historical overview of how these systems evolved, the authors show explicitly how users can achieve Lean Manufacturing objectives (faster response, less inventory) using the integration aspects of MRP/ERP/SCM systems along with the variance analysis methods of Six Sigma. Factory Physics provides the overarching framework that coordinates all of these initiatives into a single-focused strategy.

Table of Contents

PART I: THE LESSONS OF HISTORY
Chapter 1: Manufacturing in America
Chapter 2: Inventory Control: From EOQ to RDP
Chapter 3: The MRP Crusade
Chapter 4: The JIT Revolution
Chapter 5: What Went Wrong
PART II: FACTORY PHYSICS
Chapter 6: A Science of Manufacturing
Chapter 7: Basic Factory Dynamics
Chapter 8: Variability Basics
Chapter 9: The Corrupting Influence of Variability
Chapter 10: Push and Pull Production Systems
Chapter 11: The Human Element in Operations Management
Chapter 12: Total Quality Manufacturing
PART III: PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE
Chapter 13: A Pull Planning Framework
Chapter 14: Shop Floor Control
Chapter 15: Production Scheduling
Chapter 16: Aggregate and Workforce Planning
Chapter 17: Supply Chain Management
Chapter 18: Capacity Management
Chapter 19: Synthesis-Pulling It All Together