المصانع .. الحاسبات تعمل

Factories .. Computers work

Factories

Large factories that produce in bulk need a large amount of information so that the various production processes are organized and consistent. The required production rate for a certain product determines the production rate of the machines that manufacture the parts of this product, and thus requires maintaining a certain level of raw materials and parts in warehouses. In such a case, there must be continuous communication between the production workshops and the main control center, so that information is quickly available to this center, which discovers any problems or obstacles that may arise and addresses them without delay.

The electronic computer system in such factories is responsible for controlling, coordinating and monitoring production processes. The computer is provided with information automatically and by special crossings placed in appropriate places in the workshops, and the computer is able to transfer information accurately and quickly between the workshops and the main control center, instead of transferring it by traditional means.

The figure on page 111 shows the features of the information selection system for a car factory, which collects the necessary information and uses it to control production processes.

The process chain begins when a customer orders a car from an authorized dealer, as shown at the bottom of the right figure. The dealer sends a request to the factory's sales department for the cars he has contracted to sell to his customers, detailing their models, colors, optional extras, and delivery dates. This information is coded and entered into the sales computer, which then includes it in the production program. The sales computer prepares weekly schedules of the cars to be produced and their specifications, and sends lists of the raw materials to the warehouse department (a data port where information is entered manually or by means of fixed cards. The computer displays the required data or prints the necessary instructions).

required for a certain period, based on the latest estimates of sales and production. Another computer, the production control computer, translates the weekly car production schedule into detailed daily instructions for all production workshops, which are printed on small printers in each data port in the workshops, and lists for the workshop manager what his workshop must produce of each type of parts or assembly. The computer provides information about the progress of production, what has actually been produced, and any delays that may occur.

The production control computer prepares daily lists of what has been produced and sends them to the sales computer to adjust production estimates if necessary so that these estimates are as realistic as possible, and to achieve the best use of available equipment and human resources.

When the production of the required cars is completed, the distribution department provides the production control computer with the specifications of the cars produced, which in turn sends this information to the sales computer. The sales computer deletes the cars produced from the production program and informs the distribution department about the destination of each car, and informs the authorized agent about the expected delivery date.

The sales computer and the production control computer prepare information about production and costs that management approves for control and planning.

(The computer controls all stages of mass production of cars (top). A system for selecting information and controlling production in a car factory (left).