Manufacturing Systems Analysis OpenCourseWare: A Free Online MIT Graduate Study Course

Published Jan 12, 2009

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The information taught in the graduate-level 'Manufacturing Systems Analysis' course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is offered for free online through OpenCourseWare. A manufacturing system is the combination of machines, transportation components, computers, storage and people to transform materials into useful items. This class focuses on the goal of maximizing quantities produced in factories through effective utilization of all the resources and an understanding of the obstacles in place. 'Manufacturing Systems Analysis' covers topics at a level of interest to individuals who have earned an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a Master of Engineering degree, a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a manufacturing-related graduate degree.

Manufacturing Systems Analysis: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Manufacturing Systems Analysis: Course Description

'Manufacturing Systems Analysis' describes issues in the design and operation of manufacturing systems. The OpenCourseWare curriculum, assembled by Professor Stanley Gershwin of MIT, demonstrates how to calculate performance measures such as in-process inventory and production targets. It outlines the importance of capacity, the probabilities involved in the behavior of manufacturing systems, the issues that come with real-time scheduling and the impact of disruptions. The notes for 26 lectures are offered for download along with supporting materials. Lecture titles include Markov processes, transfer lines, exponential processing time transfer line, deterministic processing time transfer line, assembly and disassembly systems and control-point policy. Students should enroll in this course after studying probability and optimization. Instructor Dr. Stanley Gershwin is also the author of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, the text used for this course.

The materials for the manufacturing class include free downloadable lecture notes, student project lists, handouts and a bibliography on capacity modeling. If you are interested in this course, visit the manufacturing systems analysis page.

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