The impact of need revision on production planning in networked manufacturing

As a part of the NetMan research project, this thesis concentrates on the impact of need revision in networked manufacturing. This thesis is organized into two parts. In the first part, we will discuss the nature of a need revision. We will clarify the process and the processors who are involved in the revision process and discuss the rescheduling problem of a customized coach and bus manufacturer: Prévost Car. In the second part, we will discuss the strategic relationship between suppliers and manufacturers. We will also discuss the established parameters characterizing supplier - manufacturer relationships. A rule-based model for rescheduling operations in a job shop is presented. This model plans the rescheduling process in terms of the occurrence time of the revision request according to the MRP planning horizon. The relevant performances and methodologies within networked manufacturing are also discussed. We illustrate a planning process scheduling model by using MeproCAD, a process modeling software as well as the critical dimensions of a contract setting up process. They are material and capacity availability as a function of time. Two relevant definitions: Critical Time Function and Critical Capacity Function are presented as metrics to evaluate the feasibility of different plans. The result of this research is of interest to manufacturing flexibility that aims to satisfy needs revision promptly and efficiently.