Workflow Creation Mode Switching for Make-to-Order Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing make-to-order products requires creating workflows for each unique specification, leading to inefficiencies due to the need for pre-creating workflows that may only be used once, resulting in suboptimal production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that allows users to switch between a template-based creation mode and a mode where workflows are created from scratch, enabling flexible workflow creation for make-to-order products without pre-registering templates, and providing options for registering workflows as templates or using reference workflows for assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If workflows are pre-created for all possible make-to-order product specifications, then any order can be processed using an existing workflow template, but the number of workflows that may be used only once increases, reducing production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between template-based workflow creation and manual workflow creation based on the characteristics of the make-to-order product. For products with similar specifications to existing templates, the system automatically applies templates. For unique products, the system enables manual workflow creation, optimizing the balance between efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the workflow creation parameter from fixed (always using templates) to variable (selecting between template-based and manual creation). This allows the system to adapt the workflow creation method based on product specification parameters, using templates when appropriate and manual creation when necessary.
2Adaptability or versatility
If workflows are created manually for each make-to-order product, then workflow creation flexibility increases, but the time and labor required to create workflows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies template-based workflow creation partially, only for products that match existing template specifications. For products that do not match, manual workflow creation is used. This partial application of automation reduces overall workflow creation time while maintaining flexibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary classification mechanism that determines whether to use template-based or manual workflow creation. This intermediary layer analyzes product specifications and automatically selects the appropriate workflow creation method, reducing manual intervention time while preserving flexibility.
3Productivity
If template-based workflow creation is used, then workflow creation speed increases, but the ability to handle unique product specifications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the workflow creation process into two distinct paths: template-based creation for standard products and manual creation for unique products. This segmentation allows the system to maximize speed for applicable cases while preserving adaptability for unique cases, resolving the contradiction between speed and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to switch, in accordance with an instruction of a person in charge, between a first creation mode allowing the person in charge to create a workflow for a newly-ordered make-to-order product using a template of a pre-registered workflow among workflows representing manufacturing processes of make-to-order products with specifications that are different by customer, and a second creation mode allowing the person in charge to create the workflow for the newly-ordered make-to-order product without using the template.