Classes of process models and their characteristics useful for the design of manufacturing systems

The physical plant of a manufacturing system can be represented as a network of elemental processes whose basic function is to transform the technical state of materials using physical energy and human time. The authors present models of the elemental processes and show their relevance in the design of manufacturing systems. The design of these systems involves the evaluation of alternative organizations (networks) of the elemental processes for their economic performance, energy efficiency and ecological compatibility. The set of feasible technologies are selected based on constraints and opportunities available for the exchange of materials and energies between the manufacturing system and its environment.<>