Real-time production control for low volume and high product mix manufacturing lot prioritizing algorithm based on factors of lateness and importance

A new production control system based on lateness and importance is proposed here, particularly suitable for such a complex manufacturing system as producing a wide variety of types of products. This system determines the production priority of each lot in relation to other lots at each processing stage, based upon the critical ratio d/D, where "d" is the difference between the actual and scheduled dates for a particular stage of processing a particular lot and "D" is the time still needed to complete the production of the lot. This system facilitates management of all product flow in our real-time operating system. The average cycle time is improved by 20%.