A control system for the manufacture of small-order-quantity goods. A network of events, activities and baseline schedule dates is constructed. Availability of external components and actual internal progress are measured by a slack variable. Optimization is based on use of the slack variable for allocation of resources. Critical items are determined rapidly and in parallel. Cost estimation of schedule improvements are readily determined.

A portable measuring apparatus for determining utilization factor of a machine includes a microphone for detecting operational noise of the machine and a computerized evaluation circuit driving a display device. From time intervals between the detected noise the evaluation circuit generates digital data indicative of work interruptions of the machine and divides total operational time of the measuring apparatus by the total non-operative time of the machine to determine and display the utilization factor of the machine.

A press management and analysis system, embodies a press console (PMA), one for each press, which is located adjacent the press, and communicating with a remote entry computer (REC). The PMA monitors sensor devices on the press, to follow press operation from the beginning of a job assignment through makeready operations and printing operations to completion. A REC console remote from the press room, as in the production manager's office, communicates with each PMA, and recording (filing), hard copy printing, and like functions are handled at the REC console. The system provides displays requiring completion by the pressman/operator (or manager) thus soliciting information as well as informing all concerned of job progress, of standard times expected for a job, and of transfer from one mode or phase of the job, as from makeready time to run time in which good product is printed. The system feeds back and records event messages, and encourages operator input and identification of stoppage reasons, etc. The system also retains coefficients used along with input job data, to calculate standard times for a job of given magnitude. The results of such calculations appear in appropriate displays as standards against which actual times are compared, and to emphasize when projected or actual time exceeds calculated standard time. All filed information is available for management analysis of press operation as reports compiling desired data and all information may also be communicated to a host computer for storage and/or further analysis.

A factory traffic monitoring and analysis apparatus and method that may be used as both a real-time monitor of factory traffic intensity and variability, and as a predictor of factory congestion and lead time. The system constructed in accordance with the invention provides both descriptive and prescriptive information to enable improved factory performance. The system helps to identify actual and potential capacity constrained stations or with high traffic variability. Increasing capacity or reducing variability on stations within the factory identified by the system will allow increased product output and shorter manufacturing lead time.

A control system for the manufacture of a product is disclosed. A network of events and activities and a baseline schedule is constructed. Actual and predicted deviations to the baseline schedule, which are called slack variables, are used to predict the actual final completion date, using parallel processing. These slack variables are also used to selectively allocate resources to elements of the manufacturing process. Critical elements and critical dates are readily determined. The incremental cost of incremental schedule improvement can be readily determined. The current status of a project can be described in a single variable.