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The human impact of automation systems and focused factory manufacturing / by Rhonda Jean Heytens.

by Heytens, Rhonda Jean.

Teams in the workplace

Automation -- Human factors

Manufacturing processes

Business communication

x, 188 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.

Advisor: Dr. William Gleason.

Committee members: Kimbel Nap, Joseph Papp.

An introduction to the focused factory -- Disciplined manufacturing focus -- Management involvement and support -- Examples of focused factory success -- The impact of focus -- Managing new technology in the focused factory -- The human side of automation -- People make it happen -- Managing the focused factory -- The effect of focused factories on specific group -- Education and training -- Teams -- Reward systems -- Integrating people with technology -- Social issues -- Concluding remarks.

Traditional industry favored a centralized, functional approach in the manufacture of products. Today’s intense global competition, strained economic conditions, advanced technologies, and societal demands require improved manufacturing techniques and systems. One advancement which has demonstrated success is the focused factory. Factories which focus on a narrow product mix or a particular customer can outperform conventional plants, which attempt to encompass a broader scope. Focus provides specific direction and clear goals which can be readily understood and absorbed by members of an organization. However, drastic changes in management and worker attitudes must accompany focused factory implementation if success is to be realized. Complete involvement and support is required. To gain the maximum benefit from the focused factory, people must understand new ways of managing and operating focused subplants. New authority and responsibility must be bestowed upon managers, supervisors, and operators. Communications between all employees must be enhanced. The intent of this thesis is to support the focused factory manufacturing concept, and stress the human impact that accompanies such a drastic change in manufacturing philosophy. The focused factory and its associated benefits are examined in detail, and current successful applications of the concept are discussed through case studies and examples.

The psychological and emotional effects of the “plant within a plant” are explored. Involvement, training teamwork, reward systems and societal implications are reviewed. Finally, personal experiences relating to the actual planning and start-up of a local focused factory are shared. In order to take maximum advantage of the improvement opportunities inherent to the focused factory, (enhanced productivity, motivated employees, advanced technologies, improved process flow and layout, ownership, etc.) all of the organization’s people must be involved. They must be trained in work methods and management practices suited to effective operation in the new environment. New roles must be accepted and performed. Every team member must be educated and trained in new techniques. Although the hardware and technology is important, nothing will ever be as critical as the men and women who make the factory run.

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