Manufacturing TipsProduction planning What is Cycle Time in the Manufacturing Process? Cycle time is the time it takes to complete a single manufacturing operation. It is a manufacturing KPI used to measure the efficiency of specific production processes and to discover and eliminate bottlenecks. By Madis Kuuse 12 min read
AccountingProduction planning Applied Overhead and Actual Overhead – A Quick Guide for Manufacturers Any manufacturing operation will inevitably incur overhead expenses – indirect costs associated with production. Calculating and adding these costs precisely per produced item is pretty much impossible. This is where applied overhead comes in. Let’s take a closer look at what is applied overhead, how it differs from actual overhead, and why it matters. By Mattias Turovski 8 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning Engineer to Order (ETO) Workflow: Definition and Best Practices Manufacturing is experiencing a shift towards both more customization and shorter lead times. One option for catering to this contrary dynamic is the engineer-to-order manufacturing workflow. ETO has the potential to achieve fast-paced bespoke manufacturing, but only if companies leverage the right tools for the job. By Mattias Turovski 12 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning Bill of Materials (BOM) – A Complete Guide with Examples Regardless of the size of the manufacturing operation, a bill of materials (BOM) is vital for production. Manufacturers utilize them as the guide and recipe for creating a final product and as such, they are tied into production, quoting, purchasing and many other areas of manufacturing. By Karl H Lauri 19 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning What Is a Master Production Schedule (MPS)? With Examples The master production schedule (MPS) is a production planning tool that helps to figure out how much of a product needs to be manufactured at different periods. This simple schedule can be used as a basis for further planning and scheduling throughout the manufacturing business. By Madis Kuuse 17 min read
Production planning Just-in-Time Manufacturing (JIT): Definitions, Benefits, Tips Just-in-Time manufacturing helps businesses shorten lead times, minimize inventory, and address other hidden inefficiencies by aligning supplies directly with production schedules. By Madis Kuuse 15 min read
Production planning Production Routing – Definitions, Tips, and Examples Manufacturing routing is a process as well as a document that standardizes, describes, and sequences manufacturing operations so that the product is manufactured as efficiently as possible. Effective routings can contribute to reduced costs, improved quality, accurate production planning, and the streamlined use of production resources. By Madis Kuuse 11 min read
Production planning Discrete vs. Process Manufacturing – How Do They Differ? Discrete manufacturing implies producing distinct items that require assembly along a production line. Process manufacturing, on the other hand, produces goods by mixing or combining raw materials in a manufacturing process. In this article, we will explore key differences between the two manufacturing types and look at examples of each. By Mattias Turovski 8 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planningSales Mass Customization – A Viable Option for Small Manufacturers Mass customization is a mixed manufacturing mode with characteristics from both mass production and make-to-order production modes. Modern software solutions such as product configurators make mass customization available even to small manufacturers. By Madis Kuuse 9 min read